Underwater archaeological mission for UNESCO and 8 Member States in the Mediterranean
Researchers from Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia collaborated for this international underwater archaeological mission. It took place over 14 days, aboard the French scientific vessel, the Alfred Merlin, on two autonomous projects:
- “The Skerki Bank, Tunisian continental shelf;
- “In the footsteps of Ballard-McCann (American expeditions from 1980 – 2000), Italian continental shelf".
This mission was made possible thanks to France’s financial support who also provided its unique high-tech equipment with its state-of-the-art research vessel the Alfred-Merlin, in addition to the knowledge and experience of its technicians and scientific experts on board. Croatia, Italy, Morocco and Spain are also financially contributing to the project and the mission. Croatia, Italy, Morocco and Spain have also financially contributed to the project and the mission. Italy provided substantial logistical support with the support of Carabinieri naval units, ensuring the rotation of staff. Tunisia has provided logistical and technical support during operations on its continental shelf.
B-Rolls
Being located between the western and eastern basins of the Mediterranean and the south and north of this sea, it is a point of contact between many Mediterranean cultures. It lies on a busy maritime trade route used from Antiquity to the present day, where several wars have also taken place.
Fact sheet
On the mission coordinated by UNESCO within the framework of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, bringing together Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia to explore and document their common underwater cultural heritage.
Related articles on UNESCO's project activities in the region
The Skerki Bank and the Sicilian Channel:
- It is the largest and most ambitious international mission ever conducted under the aegis of UNESCO to protect underwater cultural heritage.
- This mission was made possible through the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which provides a unique framework for international cooperation in this field.
- The mission aims to study and protect underwater cultural heritage in Mediterranean waters.
- It also aims to foster a sense of shared heritage amongst the Mediterranean people.
Geography and history of the area
Located on the Sicilian Canal / Canal du Cap-Bon in the Mediterranean Sea, over the centuries, this area has played an essential role in the military, commercial, cultural and religious dialogue of the Mediterranean basin.
Being located between the western and eastern basins of the Mediterranean and the south and north of this sea, it is a point of contact between many Mediterranean cultures. It lies on a busy maritime trade route used from Antiquity to the present day, where several wars have also taken place.
