Off the coast of Kythira, specifically near the port of Avlemonas, lies the famous Wreck of the Mentor (1802). Although chronologically dating to the early 19th century rather than antiquity, its historical significance is inextricably linked to ancient Greece, as the vessel was transporting the looted Parthenon Marbles.
The History: The Mentor was a British two-masted brig owned by Lord Elgin. In 1802, while transporting the antiquities from Athens to Great Britain, the ship encountered a severe storm, struck the rocks, and sank to a depth of about 23 meters.
The Salvage Operation: Immediately after the sinking, Elgin hired sponge divers from Kalymnos and Mani. Using the basic diving equipment of the era, they successfully retrieved all 17 crates containing the Parthenon sculptures and reliefs, which were subsequently forwarded to London.
Modern Excavations: The hull of the ship and numerous personal belongings of the crew and passengers remained at the bottom of the sea. Systematic underwater archaeological excavations in recent years have brought to light remarkable artifacts, including gold coins, pocket watches, weaponry, navigational instruments, ancient coins belonging to the passengers' private collections, and structural parts of the wooden vessel itself.