site.btaBurgas to Host Forum Presenting Ancient Shipwrecks, Latest Technology in Underwater Archaeology

Ancient shipwrecks preserved in the depths of the Black Sea, the latest advances in underwater archaeology, and the challenges of protecting underwater cultural heritage will be highlighted during a forum at the Synchron Sport Diving Centre in Burgas on June 5.

Divers, researchers, and maritime history enthusiasts will come together at the event, with speakers including underwater archaeologist Ivelina Petkova and Dr. Nayden Prahov, Director of the Underwater Heritage Institute. The forum aims to showcase Bulgaria’s achievements in underwater archaeology, important submerged cultural sites, and best practices for their identification and preservation. Participants will also learn about UNESCO’s work in the field and the new regional status of Bulgaria’s Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Sozopol.

The forum's programme will present modern survey technologies, including geophysical equipment, underwater robots, and remote exploration methods, as well as discussions on the environmental condition of the Black Sea and the impact of climate change. A virtual tour of shipwrecks discovered during the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (2015–2018) will demonstrate how the sea’s unique conditions have preserved ancient vessels in remarkable condition for centuries.