ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECTS
TURKEY
Turkey holds immense archaeological significance due to its strategic location at the crossroads of ancient civilizations. ProMare partnered with Dokuz Eylül University’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology (supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture) comprising archaeologists, conservators, historians, geophysicists, and marine biologists. Click here for details of ProMare-supported projects.
NORWAY
ProMare, under the leadership of director Fredrik Soreide based in Norway, has spearheaded maritime archaeology projects in the region. Their efforts have unearthed relics of Viking ships and medieval vessels, shedding light on Norway’s rich maritime heritage. Through rigorous exploration, ProMare preserves and shares Norway’s seafaring history. Click here for detailed information about these projects.
UK
Since 2008, ProMare and its sister organization, ProMare UK CIC, have collaborated on maritime exploration projects. We have conducted, sponsored, and funded research and development projects in areas such as advanced technology development for marine sciences, projects related to enriching understanding of Britain’s maritime heritage, and contributing to environmental conservation efforts around the British Isles. Click here for detailed information about these projects.
PORTUGAL
In 2002, ProMare embarked on pioneering maritime exploration projects in Cascais and Ericeira, Portugal. Their endeavors unearthed ancient shipwrecks and maritime artifacts, illuminating Portugal’s seafaring history. Through meticulous research and preservation efforts, ProMare continues to deepen our understanding of the rich maritime heritage in these coastal regions. Click here for detailed information about these projects.
USA
ProMare’s impactful work in the USA spans diverse maritime endeavors. They’ve explored shipwrecks like the Western Empire and Mica in the Gulf of Mexico, unraveling historical mysteries. Contributing to geophysical studies and investigating the Georgia Gold Rush era, showcasing their commitment to maritime history and scientific exploration. ProMare also joined search efforts following the Shuttle Columbia tragedy. Click here for detailed information about these projects.
Canada
ProMare’s work in Canada focused on the Yukon River, home to the world’s largest known collection of intact 19th-century sternwheelers. Our team conducted diving surveys as well as documentation of scuttled vessels, such as the unique West Dawson site, studying seven large sternwheelers. Our work extends to vessels like the Seattle No. 3, and A.J. Goddard and delves into steamboats’ role in the Klondike Gold Rush and unique design characteristics of these vessels. Click here to find out about our projects in Canada.
argentina
During WWII, Argentina experienced numerous U-boat sightings. Following the surrender of U-530 and U-977, sightings persisted along the coast. Argentinian newspaper Ambito Financiero dispatched reporters to investigate, resulting in intriguing observations in Caleta de los Loros. ProMare was contacted to search for these submarines, in cooperation with the BBC. Using a magnetometer, side scan sonar and ROV, the area where the “promising targets” was surveyed, but yielded no evidence of U-Boat remains. Click here to read more about this project.
greenland
Greenland’s lost Norse civilization, led by Erik the Red, thrived but vanished mysteriously in the 15th century. Despite several thousand inhabitants, their fate remains unknown. An international research team aims to unravel this saga’s enigma, shedding light on one of history’s greatest mysteries. Click here to learn more.
japan
In April 2004, off Nagasaki’s coast, ProMare and Discovery Channel filmmakers discovered 24 World War II Japanese submarines, including the infamous I-58, responsible for sinking the USS Indianapolis. This marked Japan’s largest underwater collection of WWII subs. The expedition, documented in “Sen Toku: The Search for Japan’s Secret Subs,” showcased advanced marine exploration technology. Click here for more details.
mexico
In 2004, ProMare collaborated with archaeologist Guillermo de Anda to explore Maya cenotes in Mexico, sacred to ancient rituals. Working near Chichen Itza, they ventured into unexplored sinkholes using advanced equipment and techniques. ProMare’s ongoing support aided in uncovering crucial insights into Mayan culture, chronicled in Archaeology Magazine. Click here to find out more about this project.
IONIAN SEA
During a deepwater survey aboard the NR1 in the summer of 2001, between our survey areas in Greece and Italy, Promare discovered a deepwater shipwreck. Dating to no later than the 4th century AD, this well preserved shipwreck was discovered buried in the silt of the Ionian sea floor. Click here to access more information about this project.
GREECE
The Greek-Norwegian Deepwater Archaeological Survey, conducted collaboratively by EEA, NTNU, NIA, and ProMare, aimed to test affordable remote sensing techniques for identifying marine cultural artifacts below 50 meters. The project successfully discovered several previously unknown shipwrecks during its research efforts. Click here for details.
ITALY
In 2008, ProMare initiated a project in Italy, collaborating with the Italian Ministry of Culture and Artistic Heritage. Over the next three years, we conducted archaeological fieldwork, surveys, and research across Latium, Tuscany, and Calabria. Click here to access a list of all our projects in Italy, and detailed information, publications, and resources.
puerto rico
ProMare deployed a robotic vehicle to explore the deepest sections of the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing the feasibility of low-cost deep-sea exploration. The expedition yielded video footage and recovered marine life, including specimens from the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean, located north of Puerto Rico.