Dive & Dig

Honor Frost Foundation
  • 5.0 (3)
  • History
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Dive & Dig presented by Prof Lucy Blue, the podcast that takes you on an underwater journey deeper than you might ever have imagined! We'll take you down into an undiscovered world of our ancient past and show you some amazing archaeological discoveries when we get there

  1. 5h ago

    Sophisticated Neolithic in Coastal Lebanon

    Professor Lucy Blue speaks to Professor Corine Yazbeck about the rescue excavation of Tabarja Wata Slam located on the coast north of Beirut. It’s one of Lebanon’s most significant archaeological sites, preserving evidence of human occupation stretching back 10,000 years to the Pre-pottery Neolithic, making it one of the earliest known farming and fishing communities on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Excavations have uncovered Neolithic houses, fishing equipment, masses of stone tools, figurines and burial areas with carefully arranged human remains. Animal remains, including pig and goat, suggest the site may have been a centre for the early domestication. The maritime activity of the site is revealed through the archaeological remains, including fish bones, weights for fish nets and stone anchors, highlighting the site’s close relationship with the sea and its importance for understanding the origins of coastal communities.

    Sophisticated Neolithic in Coastal Lebanon

  2. May 21

    World's Largest Medieval Cog

    Professor Lucy Blue speaks with Otto Uldum, Maritime Archaeologist and curator at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark about the remarkable discovery of a medieval cog found in 2021 in 14 metres of water in the Øresund Strait near Copenhagen. Dendrochronological analysis of the sapwood date the vessel to the early fifteenth century and confirmed that it was built in the Netherlands, while some of the planking timber originated from Pomerania in present-day Poland, revealing the far-reaching timber trade networks of the period. The ship displays distinctive cog shipbuilding techniques, including scarf joints, clinker planking, clench nailing, and square-section iron nails, all of which created a hull that was both light and exceptionally strong. Unlike many other vessels, cogs were characterised by a broad flat-bottomed midship section that enabled them to carry cargoes of up to 300 tons. Named Svælget 2, the vessel measures 28 metres in length and is among the largest and best-preserved medieval cog ever discovered. Every surviving timber has now been raised and laser-scanned, and once conservation is complete the ship will be reassembled alongside its extensive rigging assemblage, including a rare complete set of deadeyes with surviving rope fragments. Many questions, however, remain unanswered. The nature of its cargo is still unknown, and the circumstances of its loss remain elusive. Could Svælget 2 represent the last gasp of cog usage within the trading networks of the Hanseatic League?

    World's Largest Medieval Cog

  3. Mar 19

    A Tale of Three Typhoons: Unearthing a Qing Dynasty Merchant Ship in the Yangtze Estuary, China

    Professor Lucy Blue takes us to China to discuss the recovery and investigation of the Yangtze River Estuary No. 2 shipwreck, discovered in 2015 by the Shanghai Museum archaeologists with the help of the local fisherman.  Dr Xiaolin Ma and Dr  Prof. Zhanghua Wang from East China Normal University, Shanghai talk about their roles in understanding the life history of the ship. Buried for over 150 years beneath fine sediment in around 10 metres of water at the mouth of the Yangtze River, this 38-metre vessel is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden shipwreck discovered in China. The wreck was lifted inside a container (48 meters long, 19 meters wide, and 9 meters tall) with surrounding sediments and is now being carefully excavated in Shanghai’s disused shipyard. Scientific analysis has revealed remarkable details of its cargo and is on going. Using methods, including sedimentary environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis that identifies the genetic material of all organisms from sediments sealed inside the pottery jars, researchers were able to reveal insights into the nature and origin of elements of the cargo no longer visible in the archaeological record. Excavation continues in Shanghai, as plans are underway to create a museum to house the Qing Dynasty ship and its finds. The project would like to acknowledge Mr Yang Zhai from Shanghai Cultural Heritage Conservation and Research Centre, who provided chances for studying the sedimentary DNA of a shipwreck; Dr Shaoqing Wen from Fudan University, who provided ultra-clean laboratory and equipment for eDNA analysis and helped with the analysis. They also would like to thank Haixia Wen and Xin Wei from East China Normal University and Zhihang Ma from Fudan University who measured the environmental parameters and performed data processing.

    A Tale of Three Typhoons: Unearthing a Qing Dynasty Merchant Ship in the Yangtze Estuary, China

  4. Feb 12

    Prayer or Pleasure: Discovery of a 1st century AD barge in Alexandria, Egypt

    Renowned French maritime archaeologist Franck Goddio joins Professor Lucy Blue to discuss his latest discovery in the eastern harbour of Alexandria, Egypt. Working with his team of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Goddio reveals the uncovering of a 1st-century AD pleasure barge, known as a thalamegos. A bathymetric sub-bottom profiler survey detected a long anomaly and careful excavation through the sediment revealed the vessel’s planking, keel, and structural elements. Measuring over 30 metres long, this flat-bottomed boat was located in the small royal harbour off the island of Antirhodos. Limited finds and graffiti inscribed above the keel, helped date the vessel. These clues, combined with the writings of the Greek geographer Strabo, who described Alexandria during the Roman period, offer insights into the luxurious activities that may have taken place on board.  An alternative hypothesis links the barge to the Temple of Isis, originally situated near the palace of Cleopatra VII, raising the intriguing possibility that it was used in Isiac ceremonial processions. As Goddio explains, it is hardly surprising that the harbours of Alexandria continue to yield extraordinary discoveries, as after all, this was once the very centre of the ancient world. Follow along with this work on this website: www.franckgoddio.org

    Prayer or Pleasure: Discovery of a 1st century AD barge in Alexandria, Egypt

  5. Jan 7

    The Nissia Shipwreck: An Entangled Biography

    Dr. Stella Demesticha, Associate Professor of Maritime Archaeological Research at the University of Cyprus, joins Professor Lucy Blue to discuss a remarkable Ottoman-period shipwreck located off Cyprus’ east coast. Excavated over three seasons by the Maritime Archaeological Research Laboratory of the University of Cyprus in collaboration with the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, the wreck identified as the Nissia, is a post-medieval vessel likely dating to the 18th–19th century AD. Measuring over 30 metres in length, the wreck represents a significant addition to our understanding of Cyprus’ maritime history during the Ottoman era. Although no definitive cargo has yet been recovered, intriguing material clues are emerging. Timber analysis reveals that its oak planks originate from northern Europe, suggesting a possible Dutch connection. Four cannons have also been recorded on the site, though evidence of looting raises the possibility that additional armaments were once present. Other finds include Ottoman smoking pipes, bricks, and bundles of pointed wooden logs believed to be firewood, offering valuable insight into life on board. As on-going research and scientific analysis continue, archaeologists anticipate that further discoveries will clarify the identity, origins, and final voyage of this vessel.The project wishes to thank:The Honor Frost Foundation THETIDAThe University of Cyprus: Department of History and ArchaeologyThe University of Cyprus: Archaeology Research UnitMARELab (Maritime Archaeology Research Laboratory)

    The Nissia Shipwreck: An Entangled Biography

  6. 11/27/2025

    Crushed: The Truth Behind Endurance

    Professor of Solid Mechanics Dr Jukka Tuhkuri, from Aalto University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, joins Professor Lucy Blue to uncover the real story behind Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship, Endurance. While on board the Endurance22 Expedition vessel searching for the wreck, Dr Tuhkuri was collecting ice cores for his own research when he became intrigued by the theories around the crushing of the ship by ice.  Studying the original ship’s plans, archival material, and applying his cutting-edge ice mechanics research, Dr Tuhkuri reveals surprising new insights into the ship’s design weaknesses, flaws Shackleton himself recognised, yet believed were worth the risk. The discussion explores how the ship’s structure, the ice conditions in the Weddell Sea, and the loss of the rudder combined to seal its fate on 21 November 1915.

    Crushed: The Truth Behind Endurance

  7. 09/24/2025

    Hand of a Giant: Discoveries from Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

    One of the most remarkable maritime sites off the coast of Egypt is revealing monumental sculptures of extraordinary scale—some towering up to 20 metres, including a single hand measuring 40 centimetres across. Professor Lucy Blue speaks with Dr Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, senior archaeologist at the Underwater Antiquities Department of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, about the secrets of western Abu Qir Bay, located 30 kilometres east of Alexandria and west of the drowned ancient city and ports of Thonis-Heracleion. Once a military base, the area first came to light in the 1930s when Prince Omar Toussoun and the director of the Graeco-Roman Museum enlisted the help of local divers. Today, as modern development threatens the site, Mohamed and his team of eight divers are racing against the clock to document newly uncovered remains. Learn how this shallow site, dating between the 7th  BC – 5th AD is challenging the team’s surveying and recovering skills.  Yet each colossal granite statue, block, and smaller remains they record adds to the story of this once-thriving port and temple complex. Their work sheds new light on Egypt’s maritime past and highlights how the country is safeguarding its unique sunken heritage.

    Hand of a Giant: Discoveries from Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

  8. 08/07/2025

    The Shipwreck Seeker: AI and Maritime Archaeology

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is solving complex problems across a host of disciplines, here Professor Lucy Blue asks Dr Alexandra Karamitrou, Lecturer in Archaeology and AI, University of Southampton to outline its use in maritime archaeology. Alexandra explains how AI models can analyse multiple datasets, such as geophysical data and satellite imagery to identify potential shipwreck locations by recognising patterns associated with submerged features.  Applications are many, including processing imagery to identify Crannogs, WWI and WWII wrecks, and offshore structures like oil rigs  – crucial for the protection of the ocean environment as leakages of harmful substances can occur from ageing wrecks and rigs. Hear Alexandra’s views on how to ethically use AI and produce a more holistic picture of what our oceans comprise.  Can you believe there are three million shipwrecks to be identified and recorded?

    The Shipwreck Seeker: AI and Maritime Archaeology
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About

Welcome to Dive & Dig presented by Prof Lucy Blue, the podcast that takes you on an underwater journey deeper than you might ever have imagined! We'll take you down into an undiscovered world of our ancient past and show you some amazing archaeological discoveries when we get there

Information

  • Creator
    Honor Frost Foundation
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Honor Frost Foundation 2022 618298
  • Show Website
    Dive & Dig