Aeolian Island's 2009 Season

The main aim of the first season of the Aeolian project was to carry out a pilot project off one of the islands. This would entail an extensive survey of the seabed off the South East coast of Panarea out to the 150 meter contour. On the basis of the survey results it was envisaged that targets and anomalies would be mapped and presented to the authorities in the form of an archaeological map.

Project Operations
In order to achieve the abovementioned aims, the Trust deployed its Klein System 3900 side scan sonar which was deployed from the MV ISIS. The fish was towed along a series of predetermined lines which were laid out in a triangular form around the islands. This ensured the methodical coverage of the entire area earmarked for survey.

Finds
A number of targets were noted. These targets included a number of small individual objects of interest as well as at least two large and interesting (but less discernible) anomalies that have been earmarked for further investigation.

Future Work
The Trust is planning to return to the Aeolian Islands in the summer of 2009. It is envisaged that further sonar survey will be conducted so as to extend the area of seabed mapped off Panarea as well as the opening of a new survey area off Salina. Furthermore, we will also be deploying the ROV on several of the anomalies recorded in 2009.

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