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18.8.10

Archaeologist says hungry sailors may have gorged on olives aboard 2,300-old Cyprus shipwreck

NICOSIA, Cyprus - A marine archaeologist says plenty of olives kept ancient seafarers going aboard a wine-carrying ship that sank off Cyprus' southern coast 2,300 years ago.

Stella Demesticha of the University of Cyprus said Thursday that hundreds of olive pits found at the wreck indicate the fruit was a likely a staple of the crew's diet at a time when sailors mostly were limited to dried foods.

The vessel's sand-buried hull was found in 2007 at a depth of 45 metres (150 feet) just off the southern coastal village of Mazotos.

It was carrying hundreds of wine amphorae — or large terra-cotta vases — from Chios and other Aegean Sea islands.

Demesticha said lead rods forming part of an anchor also were found where the ship's bow is thought to be



By: The Associated Press