The Sea of Marble

We follow the history of the extraction, transport and the uses of marble in ancient times through the exploration of ancient shipwrecks, submerged cities and adventures of modern archaeology. The marble journey begins in the caves on the Greek shores, and leads us to the discovery of the submerged city of Kekova (Turkey); in the underwater wrecks carrying marble statues, columns, sarcophagi (the name is a translation from the Greek meaning flesh consuming stone), up to the ancient port of Rome (Marmorata) and finally to the most spectacular monuments of the Roman era. Marbles, statues, and columns crossed the Mediterranean for centuries: under the water of the sea lies an immense museum. Past civilizations considered marble among the most precious of substances, and left us sarcophagi, unworked blocks, columns and marble carvings destined for villas, temples and public buildings. The sea has swallowed entire cities with their houses, their streets and their statues. Extraordinary discoveries lie in wait for underwater archaeologists, investigators intent on the task of reconstructing pieces of a forgotten history.