June 20, 2005
Marine archaeologists are now searching for evidence about the battle which made the development of classical civilization (as we know it) possible.
In the world of underwater archaeology the hunt for the legendary armadas is the expedition that might, just, scoop all others.Topping the international team's wish list is the remains of a trireme, the pre-eminent warship of the classical age.
"This is high-risk archaeology," says the team's co-leader, Dr Shelly Wachsmann, of Texas A&M University. "Discovering a trireme is one of the holy grails. Not one has ever been found."
The Persians' defeat at Salamis is seen as one of the first victories of democracy over tyranny, a crucial moment in Western history. Without it, say scholars, there would have been no golden age and the world would have been a very different place.
All of which makes this week-long mission more poignant as experts try to discover how the Greeks managed to defeat a much bigger and better-equipped enemy.
If this Aggie gets his trireme, I might even be persuaded to offer a hearty "Gig 'Em" on their behalf.
Posted by: Greg at
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