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Divers from the non-profit Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) discovered a 2,000 year old sacrificial altar while exploring an ancient wreck in 400 feet of water.

The artifact is one of many unique discoveries that promise to help redefine what we understand about ancient trade routes and commerce in the third century B.C.

GUE technical divers working in tandem with submersibles from Brownie’s Global Logistics were able to identify and recover 16 unique artifacts that archaeologists from the Sicilian government (Superintendent of the Sea) requested for study and preservation. The recovery is likely the deepest ever archaeology accomplished by volunteer technical divers. The divers are part of a non-profit initiative called Project Baseline which uses highly skilled volunteer divers in the documentation of our world’s most cherished cultural and environmental resources.

GUE President Jarrod Jablonski called the Sacrificial Altar a “remarkable piece of history” while viewing the inscription of Greek letters and intricate wave pattern. Metal supports still imbedded in the base were likely used for fastening to the deck. Working in collaboration with the Sicilian government and under the direction of Professor Tusa, GUE divers Mario Arena, Jarrod Jablonski and Richard Lundgren recovered the object with support from Gideon Liew, John Kendall and Ingemar Lundgren.

This Project Baseline Mediterranean expedition supports the efforts of hundreds of Project Baseline volunteers around the world who work tirelessly to support their local environment. The expedition began in the Bahamas in February of this year before traversing through Florida, The Azores, Portugal, France, Spain and Italy. The group includes an international team of experts in archeology, submersibles and deep technical Scuba diving, exploring and documenting at depths between 100 and 1,000 feet.

Press Release