In the heart of the Mediterranean, the Kyrenia shipwreckdiscovered in the 1960s, continues to reveal its secrets. Not gold coins, but thousands of almonds preserved among the amphorae have represented the real treasure for researchers at Cornell University, committed to determining the exact date of the sinking of the ship.
Using advanced radiocarbon dating techniques and the removal of contaminants such as PEG, a petroleum product used in wood treatment, the team was able to hone in on the time of the sinking. between 286 and 272 BC This discovery not only enriches our historical understanding, but opens up new perspectives in scientific research.
The Kyrenia ship, almost 15 meters long and with a crew of four, was one of the first direct testimonies from the classical world found intact on the seabed. Its recovery has provided archaeologists and historians with valuable insights into the development of ancient naval technologies, construction practices, and maritime trade.
The dating work of Professor Sturt Manning and his team included the analysis of organic materials, like an astragalus and almondswhich helped to define the date of the ship’s last voyage. Statistical modeling combined with dendrochronology of the wood samples allowed for much more precise dating than previous attempts.
A hitch arose when the new dates did not line up with the international radiocarbon calibration curve. Manning looked at the data behind the curve, finding that the period between 350 and 250 BC was missing from modern AMS data. With international collaborators, the team recalibrated the curve for the period 433-250 BCclarifying a spike in radiocarbon production and making crucial revisions to the dating of Kyrenia.
The new findings not only clarify the chronology of Kyrenia and its cargo, but also improve the accuracy of the radiocarbon calibration curve, instrument essential for dating finds throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The Kyrenia wreck, therefore, is not just a chapter in maritime history, but a significant contribution to science of datingwith implications that go far beyond its own sinking.
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