Bob Ballard lecture @ NEAQ - Dec 9th

[Spectre]

Received this from a friend of mine:

"Just to let you know, the New England Aquarium is hosting the Lowell Lecture
Series, and Bob Ballard will be featured on Tuesday, December 9th at 6pm.

His topic will be Ancient Shipwrecks in the Black Sea. For more information on
this and other ocean explorers go to: http://www.neaq.org/scilearn/lecture/"

 

[PK]

Hi,

I saw this lecture. It's not so much about the Black Sea shipwrecks as it was about Robert Ballard's background and his quest for kids to consider a career in a niche field of ancient history and marine biology. Near the end of his presentation he talked a little about the Black Sea shipwrecks but his dive was just a test and he's looking for funding to do more.

However little he talked about the Black Sea, it was VERY interesting to learn that the Black Sea depths have no oxygen so that all the wrecks are perfectly preserved, including the wood and other organic material that normally get's eaten away in other waters. He didn't explain the reason for this lack of oxygen though, a disappointing omission.

He showed a picture of a pottery vessel used to carry honey with a wax seal. You can still see some of the wax seal! This is definately amazing and I look forward to hearing more about further investigations of other wrecks.

 

[LobstaMan]

If you are interested and want more info, the Mystic Aquarium in CT has a fascinating exhibit regarding the Black Sea shipwrecks. Also, there was an article in a recent National Geographic magazine about Ballard's expedition.

Why are the depths of the Black Sea incapable of sustaining life? Good question. I think it has to do with a great pre-historic flood which swept over the existing fresh water sea. The theory is that the salt water came in so quickly it did not mix with the original fresh water, but simply covered it, thus smoothering anything in the water at the time. So, any item that sinks to the bottom of the sea now is preserved for a very long time. Ballard also thinks he might be able to find intact pre-historic villages that once were located on the ancient shoreline of the fresh water. The discoveries could be amazing. He should get whatever money he needs to do it.

LobstaMan

 

[notabob]

A while back I saw a documentary on TV about this. Can't remember which channel exactly, either TLC or Discovery, perhaps. Or maybe on PBS. Very interesting, covered a lot of the issues & theories that have already been mentioned in this thread, including the search for ancient wrecks & villages. Looked very interesting. Might want to do a search on Google for the documentary, it may be available on VHS or DVD somewhere...

-Roman.

 

[PK]

Hi LobstaMan,

Thanks for the tip on the Mystic Aquarium! I've been meaning to make the long trip down to CT to see this Aquarium and now have more reasons. I'd like to learn more about the Black Sea.

 

[shellbird]

Perhaps we should meet up?

 

[PK]

I'd love to get together but it looks like it'll take me 2 hours each way. That's a bit much for me right now. Someday I WILL make my way down there. I'll let you know!