Gold doubloons were not the treasure unearthed by archaeologists studying a famous Greek shipwreck. Instead, they found ancient almonds—an unexpected scientific bounty. Among the cargo of the Hellenistic-era Kyrenia shipwreck near Cyprus were hundreds of ceramic jars filled with these nutritious nuts. The analysis of these almonds, along with newly examined wood samples, played a crucial role in helping scientists from the Cornell Tree-Ring Laboratory determine a more accurate timeline for the shipwreck. The updated findings suggest the vessel sank earlier than previously believed, between 296 and 271 BCE, with a high probability of occurring between 286 and 272 BCE. This research was detailed in a study published on June 26 in the journal PLOS ONE.

The Kyrenia shipwreck was first discovered in 1965 by a town councilman diving for sponges off the coast of Kyrenia in northern Cyprus. It was the first major Greek Hellenistic-period ship found with a largely intact hull and was excavated between 1967 and 1969. Hundreds of ceramic vessels, some containing almonds, were recovered, reassembled, and studied. 

“Kyrenia marked one of the first instances where it was realized that such rich evidence from the classical world could remain largely intact on the seabed for over 2,000 years,” said Sturt Manning, a classical archaeologist at Cornell University and co-author of the study. “It was a landmark moment, showcasing the potential for discovering and preserving classical-era ships and their contents directly. Shipwrecks serve as unique time capsules, offering extraordinary preservation and insight into the past.”