Media Advisory

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000. The National Geographic Society’s Black Sea expedition, led by Explorer-in-Residence Robert Ballard, has retrieved several objects from an apparent archaeological site located 300 feet below the surface of the Black Sea and 12 miles off the coast of Turkey. Organic samples have also been recovered.

Ballard and his team are now working with the Turkish authorities to arrange the transport of the items to a laboratory where they can be tested. It is hoped that this analysis will provide critical data as to the nature and age of the objects. This process is expected to be concluded in a matter of weeks.

“The Turkish government’s contribution to the expedition has been critical to its success and I am most appreciative of Minister of Culture Dr. Istemihan Talay’s ongoing collaboration,” Ballard said.

Dr. Talay granted the expedition a permit to recover artifacts from the sea floor on Tuesday. Ten days ago the expedition located what appears to be an archaeological site more than 300 feet (95 meters) below the surface of the Black Sea. Evidence suggests people must have thrived in a coastal setting before a catastrophic flood inundated the area many thousands of years ago.

The Geographic’s Black Sea expedition is due to conclude at the end of September.

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