Speakers

Mr Nicolas   Boichot
Engineer, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)

Biography:

Nicolas Boichot is a CNRS Fellow, member of the Centre Camille Jullian (CNRS, Aix-Marseille University) and the Center for Alexandrian Studies (CEAlex), both public research units. Since 2015, he is working on the Qaitbay 1 shipwreck excavation as an archaeologist in charge of the study of the cargo of Roman amphorae. He also takes part in research programs on amphorae and ancient trade in the frame of CEAlex.

Abstract:

Shipwrecks and Anchors: Underwater Surveys of the Center for Alexandrian Studies off the Qaitbay Fort (1996–2016)
Nicolas BOICHOT
Georges SOUKIASSIAN

From 1996 to 1998, in partnership with Egyptian Supreme Council for Antiquities, the Center for Alexandrian Studies (CEAlex, USR 3134), a public research unit of the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) in Alexandria, directed by Jean-Yves Empereur, undertook a series of underwater surveys to explore a wide area around the ancient lighthouse and outside the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria, especially next to the Diamond Rock. Ancient travelers quoted this rock as a danger for ships entering the Eastern Harbor.

As a result of the work done by the CEAlex during this period, anchors dating from Antiquity to the 18th century and four possible shipwrecks have been documented. The anchors have been published in 2015 : Alexandria under the Mediterranean. Archaeological studies in memory of Honor Frost (Etudes Alexandrines 36). 

In 2015, a new series of excavations have been launched in order to complete the study of these sites and to publish the results of research. During 2015 and 2016, three campaigns took place on a shipwreck designed as Qaitbay 1, sunk 200 m off Qaitbay fort, which carried a cargo of Roman amphoras from Italy dating to the 1st century BCE. A fourth campaign is ongoing.