A team of international underwater archaeologists has recently concluded a new phase of excavation at the submerged site of Asini (historically known as Asine), an ancient Greek city situated near the coastal village of Tolo in Argolis, Greece, on the eastern side of the Peloponnese peninsula. Conducted between October 7 and 11, 2024, this research has revealed significant remnants of an expansive ancient port, revealing fascinating new facts about the maritime history of the Mediterranean.
This project is part of an ongoing underwater archaeological initiative launched in 2022 through a collaboration between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of Greece, the Swedish Institute at Athens, and Stockholm University. Under the leadership of Greek archaeologist Dr. Panagiota Galiatsatou and Swedish experts Prof. Ann-Louise Schallin and Dr. Niklas Eriksson, the team has conducted a comprehensive examination of the seabed in an area believed to be a key component of the ancient harbor at Asine, a seaside city with a history that dates back thousands of years.
An Impressive Ancient Port is Revealed
The 2024 research centered on the northwestern portion of a submerged artificial platform, an area previously identified as having retained much of its original configuration. In a 16-square-meter section, archaeologists employed high-resolution photogrammetry to meticulously document architectural remains and materials.
Overhead view of excavation site in the harbor. (Greek Ministry of Culture).
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Findings confirmed the presence of substantial structural components from the ancient harbor. The team identified numerous stone blocks and construction fragments, suggesting a gradual collapse of the infrastructure over time, caused by disuse.
Among the most remarkable discoveries were pieces of amphorae (ostraca, or shards of pottery) found within the stone structures in an area designated as "Sector 4A." These remains of ceramic jugs could provide valuable dating evidence for the submerged port, a key aspect of the ongoing research.
The artifacts likely either belonged to objects used while the platform was operational, or were remnants left behind following the harbor's abandonment. As of now they have not been dated, but this will likely change once the archaeologists have a chance to study these objects more thoroughly.
The region of Asini has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, making it challenging to determine the exact period when the artificial harbor was constructed and used. However, these recent discoveries further support the notion that this facility played a pivotal role in maritime trade throughout different historical eras.
Earlier research from 2021 and 2022 had already mapped out the port’s extensive dimensions. The primary structure consists of a large artificial platform located in shallow waters. Intriguingly, remnants of what may have been rooms or buildings have also been identified on the platform, suggesting the port served a more complex function than previously assumed.
Underwater archaeological studies frequently reveal that ancient settlements were larger, more sophisicated, and more active than land-based excavations alone might indicate. This certainly holds true for ancient Asine, which is now known to have been an exremely busy port city for centuries if not thousands of years.
Archaeologists’ boat anchored over the excavation site in the harbor. (Greek Ministry of Culture).
A Flourishing Greek City, Maybe for Millennia
Located approximately 8 km southwest of modern-day Nauplio, the ancient city of Asine in the Argolis region experienced nearly continuous habitation from the Neolithic period onward. It thrived throughout the Bronze Age and remained active following the destruction of Mycenaean citadels, continuing into the Early Iron Age.
The earliest known inhabitants settled at the base of Barbouna Hill as early as the sixth millennium BC, at which time the settlement’s acropolis cliff was likely still an island. Over thousands of years, natural erosion contributed to the formation of a large lagoon, eventually connecting the island to the mainland.
In the late 8th century BC, the Argives (Greeks from the city of Argos) conquered Asine, demolishing the city and incorporating its territory. Most of the population is believed to have fled to Messenia, where they established a new settlement. However, the sanctuary of Apollo was spared, and votive offerings continued to be placed there.
Despite its catastrophic destruction, those who remained partially rebuilt the settlement and their descendents continued to reside there for many more centuries. Around 300 BC, the city saw a period of reoccupation, causing Asine’s population numbers to grow once again. Later historical records provide only limited information, though evidence from the Late Roman period (circa 400–500 AD) indicates the construction of at least one bathhouse took place at that time. The city was presumably abandoned sometime after the end of the Roman period, although exactly when has yet to be determined.
After the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829), Cretan fishermen founded the village of Tolo, very close to where the ruins of Asine were eventually identified and excavated by archaeologists.
Throughout its history, Asine remained a strategically important site. This is evident in the Hellenistic fortifications erected around 300 BC, likely under the rule of Demetrios Poliorketes, as well as the trenches and guard towers built by the Italian military during the Second World War. The city’s advantageous location made it an ideal hub for trade and maritime activities over the centuries.
Ruins from the ancient city of Asine. (Heinz Schmitz/CC BY-SA 2.5).
Future Plans for Further Exploration
According to a press release from the Greek Ministry of Culture, the research team’s next goal is to complete additional excavations on the upper section of the artificial platform. To achieve this, one or two more archaeological interventions will be carried out, which will require manual sediment removal and controlled dredging. All artifacts and structural remains will be documented in situ using photogrammetry, a technique that enables the creation of highly detailed 3D models for further study.
Findings from the 2024 excavation will be published in the scientific journal Opuscula, produced by the Swedish Institutes of Athens and Rome, along with other specialized publications focusing on archaeology and maritime studies.
Top image: Underwater excavations occurring at site of port facilities submerged at site of ancient city of Asine.
Source: Greek Ministry of Culture.
By Nathan Falde
