12 Great Underwater Discoveries - Archaeology Magazine Archive

Since archaeologists first began to suit up in scuba gear in the 1960s, the excavation of underwater sites has transformed how we understand our past. We recently highlighted some of the most intriguing ongoing underwater projects, which got us thinking about all the amazing underwater sites that have come to light in the past half-century. With thousands of sites to choose from, we no doubt missed a favorite of yours, but for our doubloons, these 12 are the most exciting and surprising discoveries made during the age of underwater archaeology.

—The Editors

Submerged Sites

Underwater archaeology isn't just about shipwrecks; some of the most spectacular finds have been ancient villages, cemeteries, and even entire cities

Aucilla River

Windover Pond

Atlit-Yam

Port Royal

Bronze Age Shipwrecks

The most exciting discoveries ever made in the Mediterranean were two vessels that gave archaeologists a complete picture of how mariners plied the seas during the Bronze Age.

Cape Gelidonya

Uluburun

Medieval Conflict at Sea

Vessels from opposite sides of the globe gave scholars an unprecedented glimpse into the tactics of naval warfare during a period when mastery of the seas became critical to the fates of nations.