The island of Dokos is located about 60 miles east of Sparta, Peloponnese . Among the many testimonies of ancient frequentations, its waters host the remains of a shipwreck considered the oldest known by archaeologists, which dates back to the second Proto-Helladic period, or between 2700 and 2200 BC, or over 4000 years ago .
We are in the Bronze Age. The early Helladic II period, a period characterized by economies once considered local with a population based on Neolithic agriculture. In fact, it was at that time that the use of bronze and copper was imposed and contacts with neighboring populations are demonstrated by the rudimentary processing techniques developed in western Anatolia .
From the findings at sea it is assumed that there were cultural contacts with ethnic groups scattered throughout the Mediterranean.
According to the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archeology , the presence of pottery from Cyclades in the wreck of Dokos it dates back to 2200 BC, making it the oldest shipwreck site ever discovered. During the 1989-1992 excavation, the site produced over 15,000 ceramic artifacts which were lifted from the sea floor and transported to the Spetses Museum for study and preservation. The more than 500 clay pots appear to come from an ancient manufacturing plant in Argolis.
These pottery is supposed to have been intended for trade with the small coastal villages around the Gulf of Argos and the Myrtoan Sea. The site offers one of the largest collections of early known Helladic pottery. To give an idea of the uniqueness of the discovery, the technology with which this ceramic was made predates the invention of the potter's wheel. The merchant ship presented a great variety of crockery and it is assumed that it was directed to markets throughout the region.
The pottery found includes hundreds of ceramic pieces including cups, crockery and urns.
There were also a variety of saucepans in multiple shapes and sizes of the most common types found in southern and central Greece of that period. In particular, these gravy boats are very similar to those of Askitario in Attica, and comparable to those of Lerna and the Cyclades .
These evidence show that the shipwreck occurred along a sea route from southern Euboea to Saron and Argolis. Many amphorae were also found, as well as large-grained vases, braziers, baking trays, askoi, pithoi and utensils for common use.
As regards the nautical equipment, some anchors were found 40 meters from the wreck. stone consisting of two large boulders with perforated holes probably abandoned before the ship sank. It was in common use, in ancient times, when ships were caught in storms, to cut the anchor lines and leave the anchors on the bottom. Last but not least, lead ingots used for trade were found.