Experimental Archaeology
The case of KERYNEIA II
Reconstructing ancient ships through nautical archaeology is one of the most challenging and costly aspects of experimental archaeology.
Rebuilding ancient ships through nautical archaeology is a highly complex and expensive endeavor, making it unlikely for countries with smaller budgets for archaeological research to take it on.
The connection between the Greeks and the sea is timeless, and it inspired the reconstruction of several ancient Greek ships. These projects have provided valuable insights into the once little-understood maritime technology of antiquity. Notable efforts, such as the Keryneia II, Olympias, and Argo, were ambitious undertakings, requiring significant financial resources, extensive manpower, and advanced testing. They also stood out for their collaboration with international teams.
The “Keryneia ship” is the name given to a small Greek merchant vessel from the late 4th century BCE. Its wreck was discovered in 1965 by a sponge diver, Andreas Kariolou, a few kilometers off the port of Keryneia in Cyprus. Kariolou reported the find to authorities, leading to a detailed excavation led by American marine archaeologist Michael Katzev. By 1973, the wreck had been fully recovered and meticulously reconstructed at the Keryneia Shipwreck Museum to facilitate further research. However, before the restoration was complete, it fell victim to the events of the 1974 Turkish invasion.
In 1978, experimental researcher Haris Tzalas, founder of the Hellenic Institute for the Protection of Nautical Tradition, proposed a full-scale reconstruction of the Keryneia ship. Tzalas, who had closely followed Michael Katzev’s work, emphasized the significance of this project—not just as the first reconstruction of an ancient Greek ship, but because the Keryneia ship was the only ancient Greek shipwreck at the time with a substantial portion preserved for detailed study. The proposal gained the backing of both the Greek and Cypriot governments.
The construction of the ship, named Keryneia II, took place between 1982 and 1985 at a traditional shipyard in Perama, Athens. The project adhered strictly to experimental archaeology principles, using only the techniques and materials available in antiquity. Skilled craftsmen experienced in traditional vessel building recreated the ship using the “shell-first” method, staying true to the specifications of the original. The resulting vessel measured 14.75 meters in length, 4.30 meters in width, and weighed 30 tons. After successful sea trials in early to mid-1986, Keryneia II embarked on its maiden voyage on September 6, 1986, departing partially loaded from the port of Piraeus to reach Pafos, Cyprus.
The ship Keryneia II sailed through the Aegean, making stops at several major islands before arriving at the port of Pafos on October 2, after covering over 1,200 kilometers in 25 days. Since 2005, it has been part of the collection at the Municipal Museum of Ayia Napa in Cyprus.