Archeology: Researchers discover Hercules’ head on 2,000-year-old ship

New treasure has been unearthed from a more than 2,000-year-old shipwreck lying at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea off the Greek island of Antikythera. The ship was discovered in 1900 – now a research team has dived back down. As part of a multi-year project from 2021 to 2025, research trips to the ancient ship will take place. The second expedition left for the wreck in May. There, the researchers blasted a rock that blocked access to parts of the wreck. According to the scientists, what they found in the previously unexplored parts made these dives an “extremely successful” research trip: A large head made of marble was hidden there – it is said to be an image of the demigod Herakles. The legend of the son of Zeus was widespread both among the ancient Greeks and in ancient Rome. Parts of the statue were found on the ship as early as 1900 – now the head is to be freed from the overlays and restored. The wreck is also known for the Antikythera Mechanism – a unique device found there more than 100 years ago. Researchers assume that this is the oldest known computer in the world. It could have been used as a nautical device for shipping to calculate routes. Only recently did an interdisciplinary research team succeed in making a model replica of the object. Scientists now suspect that the ship could have been a merchant ship. Two teeth were also found during the expedition, which should now help to find out more about the people on board.