Underwater Exploration Off the Island of Ventotene, Italy: The Discovery of Ancient Shipwrecks and Cargoes

Underwater Exploration Off the Island of Ventotene, Italy: The Discovery of Ancient Shipwrecks and Cargoes

Timmy Gambin (Director of Archaeology, Aurora Trust)
Thursday, February 17 / 3:30 PM
HSSB 4041

Over the past three years, AURORA Trust, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture, has carried out a project aimed at mapping and studying the underwater cultural heritage around the Pontine Islands. One of the major results of this project is the discovery of a number of ancient shipwrecks datable to the Roman period. This talk covers the holistic approach to the project, the methodologies used and results obtained after three seasons.

Web links for more information: www.auroratrust.com

Dr T. Gambin obtained his undergraduate degree in history at the University of Malta and proceeded to read for his MA in maritime archaeology and history at the University of Bristol where he proceeded to obtain his doctorate under the tutelage of Dr A.J. Parker. He is currently a visiting lecturer at the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta and director of archaeology of the Aurora Special Purpose Trust. Over the past years he has participated and directed numerous offshore surveys both in Malta and elsewhere in the Mediterranean. He also initiated the cistern exploration project. His research interests include ancient harbours, new technologies and the management of underwater cultural heritage as well as maritime traditions of the Mediterranean.