Follow along with an international team of scientists as they study the archaeology and geology of the Aegean and Black Seas using advanced deep-sea technology aboard two research vessels, the R/V AEGAEO and R/V ENDEAVOR. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/welcome.html http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/include/images/ocean_explorer_podcast_100.jpg http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/welcome.html This page contains photos and slideshows taken during the Aegean and Black Sea 2006 expedition that took place April 26 - June 16, 2006. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/logs/photolog/photolog.html The 2006 Black Sea expedition had a number of objectives, including the survey of the shelf and deep water off the Crimean Peninsula for archaeological sites and the identification and imaging in high definition of sites spanning the Classical period through modern times along with a few 20th century wrecks. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/logs/summary_blacksea/summary_blacksea.html The primary goal of the mission was to determine the extent and volume of the submarine pyroclastic deposits from the Minoan eruption that are distributed on the seafloor around Santorini. Not only was this goal was accomplished, but a lot of other fascinating information also came to light. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/logs/summary_thera/summary_thera.html The Sea of Crete 2006 project proved to be a very successful mission! This was the first archaeological oceanography survey in this region, and it has provided a solid baseline of information on the geology and archaeology of the Sea of Crete that will be helpful for research and fieldwork in the future. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/logs/summary_crete/summary.html This 2006 expedition continues to set a new benchmark in ocean exploration. Remarkable advances in technology will allow, for participation of an entire science party housed not on a research vessel, but instead in a Science Command Center located in the United States. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/background/plan/plan.html Read about the science team and share the excitement of at-sea discoveries and the people behind one of NOAA's major telepresence ocean exploration initiatives. http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06blacksea/background/explorers/explorers.html