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The oldest intact sinking in the world was discovered at the bottom of the Black Sea.
After the most technologically advanced research of all time, the old ship was found in a part of the Eastern European Sea that has already revealed more than 60 other shipwrecks.
But the carbon dating shows that it is the oldest to date and is thought to be a Greek merchant ship over 2,500 years old.
It was discovered at the end of 2017 as part of the Black Sea archaeological project. It resembles the design of the ship displayed on the "Mermaid Vase", an ancient Greek pottery exhibited at the British Museum.
Dr Kroum Batchvarov, involved in the project, said: "We have a complete ship, with the masts still standing, and the quarter rudders in place".
"It's an amazing find. The first of its kind. & # 39;
It was found 2 km below the surface of the Black Sea in so – called anoxic waters because of the minimal amount of oxygen that exists there. The lack of oxygen contributes to the preservation of the boat. It is so well preserved that monkfish bones were found on the bridge, showing what the sailors ate at the time.
"We even have the reels of rope line still like the bosun left them in the stern when the ship fell," said Dr. Batchvarov.
"It's unique."
Jon Adams, chief scientist of the project, told the Times that the ship had probably sunk in a storm and that the crew had not been able to empty the sea in time.
"I would have never thought possible that a classic world ship would remain intact, resting in more than 2 km of water," he said.
"This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and navigation in the ancient world."
The Black Sea Maritime Archeology project team can not yet save the ship because of the costs incurred to do so and the work required to dismantle and rebuild it without damaging it.
The discovery is one of 67 wrecks found in the region.
Previous discoveries dating back 2,500 years, including galleys from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
Scientists came across the cemetery while using underwater robots to study the effects of climate change on the Bulgarian coast.
The Black Sea Maritime Archeology Project, which has been ongoing for several years, involves an international team led by the Maritime Archeology Center at the University of Southampton. It cost about 15 million pounds.
Ed Parker, CEO of Black Sea MAP, said: "Some of the discovered ships had only been seen on murals and mosaics so far."
"There is a medieval trading ship where the towers on the bow and stern are almost always there.
"It's like watching a boat in a movie, with ropes still on the deck and carvings in the wood.
"When I saw this ship, the excitement really began to rise – what we found is really unmatched."
Many details and locations of other wrecks are kept secret by the team to ensure they are not disturbed.
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