HELLENIC INSTITUTE OF MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY

(1973-2009)

36 YEARS OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

The Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology (HIMA) is a private non-profit organization, founded in 1973, whose aim is to organize and promote maritime archaeological research in Greece and assist the Greek Ministry of Culture with the difficult task of preserving, studying and promoting Greece's maritime heritage. From 1976 (when the Department of Underwater Antiquities in the Greek Ministry of Culture was founded) HIMA acted as the official consultant to the Greek State.

HIMA undertakes scientific research, independently, under the supervision or in cooperation with the Greek Ministry of Culture. It has over 100 members, with diverse academic credentials, all of whom work on a voluntary basis. HIMA's scientific and technical expertise provides a solid foundation for the promotion of underwater archaeology in Greece and beyond. Furthermore, its non-government status and the support of private funds give HIMA a flexibility not shared by more bureaucratic organizations.

The Institute's scientific research efforts since its foundation cover most periods of Greek maritime history. Its multifaceted activities include surveys and excavations, training, publication and cooperative research projects with other institutions throughout Europe .

Between 1973 and 1983 the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology completed several surveys and preliminary research projects: at the ancient city of Pheia on the west coast of the Peloponnese, on an early Roman shipwreck with a cargo of wine amphorae near the village of Limeni in southern Peloponnese, at Patroklos islet, near Cape Sounion and on the shipwreck of the Mentor, Lord Elgin's ship which was lost near the island of Kythera.

Between 1976 and 1977, members of the Institute were involved in projects, conducted by Captain Cousteau's team, in Antikythera, Artemision, Santorini, the islets of Pseira and Dia in Crete , and elsewhere.

In 1985, after a period of recession for the Institute, a fresh start with new fervor was attempted. This effort led up to the publication of the scientific journal ENALIA (in Greek and English) and the organization of three full scale excavation projects: on the oldest known shipwreck yet discovered, dating back to c. 2200 BC, at the island of Dokos (1989-92), on the Late Mycenaean shipwreck (1200 BC) at Point Iria, in the Gulf of Argos (1990-94) and on the late 4 th century BC shipwreck at the islet of Antidragonera, near the island of Kythera (1993-2000 and 2004).

Since 2000, HIMA has been conducting two underwater archaeological projects, in the Gulf of Argos and the Gulf of Pagasai . A survey on the southern coast of the island of Salamis , in collaboration with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, was initiated in 2004.