60 Perfectly Preserved Ancient Shipwrecks Found in Dead Zone of Black Sea (Photos)

60 fantastically preserved ancient shipwrecks were recently discovered at the bottom of the Black Sea, in an oxygen-free zone known as a “dead zone.”

They include galleys from various ancient empires, such as the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman empires.

Daily Mail

Scientists were using underwater robots to survey the effects of climate change off the coast of Bulgaria when they accidentally found the graveyard of ships.

The discovery is being called “truly unrivaled” by experts. Several ships have features that were previously only described in written accounts, not corroborated as fact until now.

Wood carving features remained completely intact for hundreds of years. Perfectly preserved rope was found on a 2,000 year old Roman ship.

According to the Daily Mail:

“The project, known Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (Black Sea MAP), involves an international team led by the University of Southampton’s Centre for Maritime Archaeology.

Most of the vessels found are around 1,300 years old, but the oldest dates back to the 4th Century BC.”

Blackseamap.com

Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz

Blackseamap.com

blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Blackseamap.com

Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz

Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz

Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz

(Image credit: the Daily Mail)