With scientists and researchers from Greece, the USA and Switzerland looking like astronauts, on the 15th of September they will wear space type outfits and will scuba dive in the place of the Antikythera shipwreck.
The outfit Exosuit, costs 1.5 million dollars and was built by a Canadian company, in order to help divers to have greater flexibility and prolonged presence under water.
That way the research mission will have a greater comfort to seek additional archaeological treasures which allegedly are situated under the sea for centuries.
The wreck dates approximately to 60-50 BC, while its load dates from the 4th to the 1st century BC. The study adds a significant load testimony on maritime trade and project handling Greek art at the end of the Hellenistic era and the democratic period of Rome.
Among the treasures that were recovered during the years 1900-1901 and 1976 of the seabed, was the notorious Antikythera mechanism and the bronze statue of a teenager.
The mechanism is now considered to be the first computer of humanity: a delicate artifact and gear mechanism, whose corresponding applications found only 14 centuries later.
Rare treasures were hosted this year in a successful temporary exhibition “The Antikythera shipwreck” at the Archaeological Museum.
This is considered to be the richest and most important ancient load that has been identified until our days.
New data
The new data of this year’s mission will consist of members of many scientific
disciplines and nationalities (Americans of the Oceanographic Institute of Massachusetts Woods Hole, Swiss engineers who built a clock operator function, Greek archaeologists etc.) which intensify the interest.
Researchers have expressed the view that probably the wrecks were two and not one.
By making a detailed mapping they identified in a 200 yards distance and another boat with pottery of the same period, which reinforces their belief that the ship might be accompanied by another with the mechanism. The mission is expected to be completed by mid-October.
The latest tech diving suit
The outfit, which looks like those of astronauts can only be launched / retrieved by crane and is equipped with thrusters (propellers) that help navigating by the operator.
There are special pedals at the feet of the diver, with which he sets the direction, robotic hands with bonding, special lights, camera, intercom, while the diving suit is connected with a cord to the surface, which is supplied with electricity and fiber optic communications. A chemical agent binds inside the cabin the dioxide and an automatic mechanism refill the space with the required oxygen.
