The fragment of a marble slab with a decorative drop, coming from the precious cargo of the ship «Mentor», is one of the important findings of this year's systematic underwater archaeological research of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in the historic shipwreck.
The briki «Mentor» which sank in September 1802 off the port of Avlemonas in the southeast of Kythera, was one of Lord Elgin's privately owned ships., which had been used for the transfer of antiquities, including part of the sculptural architectural decoration of the Acropolis monuments.
During this year's excavation period that continued under the direction of the archaeologist, Dr. Dimitrios Kourkoumeli-Rodostamos, Deputy Head of the Service, investigated areas west and north of the surviving ship's hull, as stated in the announcement of the Ministry of Culture - which continues as to the excavation cuts and findings the following:
Initially an excavation section was defined, which was conventionally called Section 1/2025, at a distance of about five metres west of the surviving hull. The purpose of the cut in this position was to investigate whether any remains of the ship's hull had been preserved. No traces of the ship were found during the excavation of the cut, which rather confirms the hypothesis that the hull of the ship after sinking, remained exposed on the bottom for some time, resulting in complete and relatively rapid disintegration.
The first shipwreck of the cargo in 1802, when the sponge divers who had undertaken the lifting of the cargo, due to the difficulty of access to its interior, were led to open an entrance to the hold through the ship's stern.
This is the spot where the water had been caused by the ship's impact with the rocks, as described, moreover, in the letters of Lord Elgin's secretary, William Hamilton, who coordinated, on his instructions, the whole process of lifting the cargo. This process contributed to the destruction of most of the hull of the ship. The excavation of section 1/2025 was completed at a depth of approximately -1m from the bottom surface (-21.9m from sea level), with no traces of the ship's hull being found.
The second excavation section was carried out north of the surviving part of the ship's propeller (Section 2/2025), in order to determine the possible dispersal of the remains of the hull to this area. Although the excavation of the section did not identify any fragments of nomes from the ship's stone, however objects from his disorientation were found, as well as fragments of everyday utensils. Still identified fragments from the external plating of the ship's skin. The plating protected the main parts of the ship, while it seems that the lower part of the ship, and especially the propeller, was additionally reinforced by lead sheets. Of particular interest is a section of the plating, which is placed right at the junction of the copper and lead sheets.
Among the other findings stands out clay slab section, which is probably related to the insulation of the ship's firebox. The plate was found a short distance from the ship's propeller.
Particular reference should be made to the identification of a marble decorative element. It is a fragment of a marble slab with a decorative drop, belonging either to an epistyle rule or to a cornice boss.. The fragment has maximum dimensions of 9,3 cm (length) x 4,7 cm (width), and the droplet has a diameter of 6,51 cm and a height of 2,2 cm. The dimensions of the drop can be compared with the measurements of Ann. Orlandos, regarding the decorative drops of the Parthenon's epistyle.
It is the first time a fragment of sculptural decoration is found derived from the valuable cargo carried by the brig «Mentor», most of which was recovered during the first shipwreck of 1802. The completion of the conservation work and further study will provide more information about the monument from which it comes.
The underwater excavation period of 2025 involved scientists of various disciplines and specializations, such as archaeologists, marine biologists, diving instructors, underwater photographers, antiquities conservators, seabed technicians and in particular: Dr. Alexandros Tourtas, Dr. Elena Bonelou, Aris Michael, Dr. Yannis Issaris, Dr. Elpida Karadimou, Vassilis Tsiairis (MA), Chrysa Fouseki, Irini Malliou, Spyros Mourais, George Bouzalakos, Stefanos Kontos, Manuel Kourkoumelis, Maria Tsokla.
