Helen Farr and Jon Adams: Why are scientists obsessed with the Black Sea?

Why are scientists obsessed with the Black Sea?

In 2017, researchers off the Bulgarian coast discovered the oldest intact shipwreck ever found. This ancient Greek vessel was not only nearly 2,500 years old, but was just one of 65 shipwrecks found at the bottom of the Black Sea in remarkable condition. So, why does the Black Sea contain so many well-preserved shipwrecks? Helen Farr and Jon Adams dive into the depths of the unique body of water. [Directed by Yuriy Polyashko, Darvideo Animation Studio, narrated by Pen-Pen Chen].

Hidden beneath two kilometers of water, the oldest intact shipwreck ever discovered lay undisturbed for nearly 2,500 years at the bottom of the Black Sea. This vessel is just one of 65 remarkably preserved shipwrecks spanning Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history, all found in recent years. The Black Sea's unique chemistry creates an oxygen-deprived zone that halts the decay seen elsewhere, keeping ancient ships astonishingly intact. Yet, these underwater time capsules are so fragile that many cannot be brought to the surface without falling apart.