Peloponnese Peninsula

       The ancient archaeological site of Pavlopetri located off the coast of the Peloponnese region of Greece, near Laconia, Greece. Pavlopetri is the world’s oldest underwater city that is known to this present date, scholars believes that the site was occupied in 3000 BC- 1100 BC, throughout the Bronze Age (Affatato, 2012, pg. 2). Scientist believes the ancient city was submerged under water around 1000 BC, through various earthquakes (http://science.sciencemag.org, 2009, par. 2).

       The underwater site lies between two ridges, it is covered by numerous stones and minerals, which are assumed to be the debris of fallen buildings (Harding, Cadogan, Howell, 1969, pg. 116). Buildings that have been found at the underwater site, includes residential architecture, and grave sites, both structures resemble construction that occurred in the Early Bronze Age (Gallou, Henderson, 2012, pg. 83).  The graves sites included cist graves and used as an “ossuary” where the bones of the deceased where kept, many of the burial chambers had an array of different shapes and structures (Gallou, Henderson, 2012, pg. 83-84).

          During the excavations of the underground city, many architectural pieces and art work was found under the sea. Excavators were surprised to find pottery that appears to be from the Final Neolithic era (Affatato, 2012, pg. 2). Other pieces of arts includes various ceramic creations, such as small bowls, basins, jars and a huge array of broken vases (Gallou, Henderson, 2012, pg. 89-95).

         The activities that occurred on the site is still not known. According to Harding, Cadogan and Howell, the city of Pavlopetri, seems to be a traditional Greek city/village. It included various buildings, meeting places and courtyards, that have been used for various daily functions (Harding, Cadogan, Howell, 1969, pg. 116-120). The today is still being excavated and the materials that have been retrieved from underground are being studied.