Chronicle (1966)
The Wreck in Campese Bay
1984 • E5 Feb 28, 1984 50m
A broken handle from an ancient amphora and three old photographs in a London House were enough to put Oxford archaeologist Mensun Bound on the trail of an Etruscan ship wrecked off the coast of Italy 2,600 years ago. But Reg Vallintine, one of Britain's most experienced divers, had last seen the site 20 years before. Could he find it again 140 feet down on the sea-bed off the island of Giglio? And if he succeeded, how risky would it be for archaeologists to work at the very limits of safety for air-breathing sub-aqua divers - risks which were to be compounded by ruthless underwater pirates? In this month's Chronicle, Andrew Faulds narrates the story of MENSUN BOUND'S quest for an invaluable wreck whose unique cargo could throw new light on the mysterious Etruscans and the patterns of trade which existed in the Mediterranean 600 years BC. Re-aired 12 July 1990