Ancient port of Salamis discovered

Location of the ancient port of Salamis, where the Greek naval forces had gathered before the historic sea battle against Persians in 480 BC, which is known as Battle of Salamis, has been discovered. 

Remains of submerged structures of the ancient port (by V. Mentoyannis)

Archaeologists discovered the remains of the commercial and probably war port of the classical and Hellenistic period of the city-state of Salamis. The research revealed the existence of ancient artefacts submerged on the three sides (north, west and south) of the bay of Ambelakia. Some of the findings that came to light included port structures, fortifications and various other buildings. These three sides of the bay contain submerged ancient artefacts and structures that gradually sink and emerge due to changes of the sea level, which, especially in February, reach half a meter. The findings include harbour structures, fortifications and various premises which can now be identified as the place of the commercial and navy port of the island in the classical ancient Greek era.

The Battle of Salamis (by Tornos News)

The port at Salamis was the largest and closest of the Athenian state, after the three ports of Piraeus Kantharos, Zea and Munichia. The battle of Salamis is one of the most important battles in the history of ancient Greece. It was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states under Themistocles and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes in 480 BC which resulted in a decisive victory for the outnumbered Greeks. The battle was fought in the straits between the Attica mainland and Salamis, an island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens, and is deemed as the climax of the second Persian invasion of Greece.

Remains of submerged structures of the ancient port (by V. Mentoyannis)
Remains of the ancient port (by Tornos News)

(after Tornos News, Smithsonian & V. Mentoyannis)

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