Ancient Greek vessel docks for Pompey refit

(THE INDEPENDENT, 18.01.09)  The most complete ancient Greek ship ever found has arrived at the Mary Rose Centre in Portsmouth Harbour.  The ship was discovered in 1988 about 800 metres from the coastline off the city of Gela in Sicily. It was found in several layers of silt at a depth of five metres (16 feet), but wasn’t excavated until summer 2004. The 700 sodden timbers of the vessel, which is believed to be around 2,500 years old, are now ready to be reassembled, after being submerged in water-soluble wax for four years and then freeze-dried in a huge vacuum chamber.  Archaeologists believe the vessel was sailing to the ancient Greek colony of Gela, got caught in a storm and sank with its cargo. Read more…    See also :  Ancient Greek vessel arrives in Portsmouth (Practical Boat Owner, 19.01.09)

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