The shipwreck was found incidentally by sponge divers in 1900, who then undertook, with the assistance of the Hellenic Royal Navy, its recovery, recording thus the first major underwater archaeological expedition.

The second underwater research was carried out in 1976 by the Greek Archaeological Service and Jacques Yves Cousteau’s oceanographic vessel "Calypso." The wreck dates back to approximately 60-50 BC, though its cargo from the 4th to the 1st century BC. In total, 378 artifacts will be presented to the public, including sculptures, ceramic, glass and bronze pots, coins, jewelry, parts of the shipwreck itself, and even food remains. 

The highlight of the exhibition is the Antikythera Mechanism -the world’s most remarkable astronomical calculating device ever found- and the bronze statue of the Antikythera Youth.

The exhibition will also feature a documentary and a three dimensional (3D) film [VIDEO] on the shipwreck and its history, while the National Museum’s subpage titled Object of the Month will present every month selected items from the collection.