Our search efforts on the harbor floor continue. Thus far we has been searching for signs of ancient shipwrecks for about 10 days and have thus far, come-up empty handed. Our searching methodology is a combination of technology and tradition. The technology part comes from the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to place us precisely over the targets generated by our state of the art sensors. The traditional part comes from the use of SCUBA divers to probe into the mud of the harbor to confirm the presence of ancient artifacts.

“Is it man made or natural?” is the first question, followed quickly by if it’s man made, “is modern or ancient?” Thus far we have identified the remains of a harbor defense screen left over from WWII and an apparently naturally occurring rock formation. We’ve also investigated a number of targets whose burial depth may exceed our ability to hand probe.

Though we use GPS to establish a reference line fastened to the harbor floor (some 23meters below the surface) so the divers have a physical guide, there is no other clue on the bottom that suggests the presence of a buried artifact; the muddy bottom is uniformly flat and featureless where we have concentrated our efforts. To detect the presence of an object of interest, the diver must push a 2 meter long probe into the bottom in hopes of making contact with the target detected by our sub-bottom profiler.

The process is hampered by swirls of fine silt stirred up by the diver’s efforts working on the harbor floor obscuring all visibility and making it difficult to ensure a comprehensive search. The diver often must rise up in the water column to check his gauges and computer. We have reconfirmed our positioning data and feel confident in our ability to identify the targets which lie buried within 2 – 3 meters of sediment (calculated to be the probable depth of deposit since the 415 – 413BC battle took place). Could the estimate of deposition be wrong? This could be tough one for the team!! We’re thinking about some new technology solutions to this problem.

Today we moved the dive support vessel Tuono over a new area from where we can reach 3 more submerged targets. The process has become significantly more efficient than when we started this project last week. within an hour we set the lines over a target, laid baseline and sent the first diver down to explore the seabed. In the mean time, the ISIS set off to mark another target earmarked for exploration. This particular target is buried in two meters of mud. To ensure we were searching in the right place we sent two teams of divers down to prod the seabed with a long steel pole. Both teams confirmed the presence of a solid object deep in the mud. The next team of divers prepared the grid within which we will be excavating a trench measuring 4 X 4 meters by 2 meters deep. We have at least two very hard days of underwater work ahead of us.

On a lighter note, we all lunched on the Tuono today. Captain Alessandro has some fresh fish delivered and we enjoyed this together with some pasta and mussels. It was a great meal with enjoyable company!

Over the past couple of days we have continued diving operations in Syracuse Harbour. There is a preliminary list of 10 targets we are investigating. Initially, the target areas are marked by three buoys – following this, a diver descends to mark the area of study with a baseline and a series of cross-lines. Divers then investigate the muddy seabed with a steel rod. When satisfied by the number of contact points the diver will then mark the area for further investigation. This is done by excavating into the mud using the water dredge and jet.

So far we have investigated three targets but these have turned out to be sterile. Work on the seabed in the harbour is hard and slow due to the low visibility.

On Sunday we went out on the ISIS to survey (with side scan sonar) an area of ineterest off the town of Avola. We identified an interesting target and plan to return there with the ROV.

Over the past two summers, AURORA has spent over 2 months searching for archaeological remains that can be linked to the siege of Syracuse (by Athens) of 413BC. We surveyed over two square kilometers with a sub bottom profiler running over 220 survey lines. Last winter, sub-bottom data specialist Rick Horgan selected a number of high priority targets located within the sediment.

For the 2009 Syracuse campaign a group of divers from a host of institutions, including the Superintendence of the Sea, Gruppo Trireme, Lega Navale, Carabinieri (Messina) and of course AURORA will be investigating these targets. To achieve this we will lay baselines across the area highlighted for study and then we will proceed to excavate a series of test trenches across the baseline. The targets lay well below the seabed with burial depths that vary from 70cm to 250cm.

So far we have completed two days of offshore operations. We have mainly focused on setting up the support vessel (Tuono) on a three point mooring and getting two targets ready for investigation.

Working on the seafloor inside harbours is always challenging and Syracuse is not proving any different. Once divers start work and the mud gets disturbed by the water jet and dredge one cannot see further than one’s nose. We are working in approximately 22 meters of water and are spending no more than 40 minutes in the water – including a safety stop.

Despite these conditions we have been making steady progress and look forward to some positive results.