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Prehistoric pile dwellings in Neuchâtel (Switzerland, 2022)

5000 years ago, men built wooden villages on the shores of alpine lakes. These “pile-dwellings” were eventually abandoned, their remains quickly covered by sediments deposited by rising water levels. Isolated from the air, fragile material such as wood has remained intact, representing an incredible source of information on the way our very distant ancestors lived. Today, some archaeological sites could be threatened by the joint effects of natural erosion and human activities.

The Mediterranean Monk Seal (Greece, 2018 – 2022)

The Mediterranean monk seal is on the “endangered species” section of the IUCN’s red list since 1986. Its population is down to only a few hundred individuals, mainly concentrated in Greece and Turkey.
This marine mammal has been hunting in Mare Nostrum since the Antiquity. Yet, it’s still one of the least known and studied seals in the world. The Octopus Foundation joins a program aimed at better understanding this key species.

Des archéologues plongeurs inspectent les stations palafittiques de Léman inscrites au Patrimoine Mondial de l'UNESCO -

Prehistoric pile dwellings in Geneva (Switzerland, 2022)

5000 years ago, men built wooden villages on the shores of alpine lakes. These “pile-dwellings” were eventually abandoned, their remains quickly covered by sediments deposited by rising water levels. Isolated from the air, fragile material such as wood has remained intact, representing an incredible source of information on the way our very distant ancestors lived. Today, some archaeological sites could be threatened by the joint effects of natural erosion and human activities.

Seahorses of Europe (France, 2017 – 2021)

Hidden in seagrass beds of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the seahorses and Syngnathidae of France live a complicated life. Ironically, these icons of the marine world have always been largely ignored by the scientific community. It is urgent to study a family of fish that is today struggling in most places around the world.

Vulnerable wrecks of Lake Neuchâtel 1/3 (Switzerland, 2019)

Since Antiquity, the Swiss lakes have been used to transport people and goods. Many vessels were lost through the ages, to be forgotten under several meters of protective sediment. The constant erosion of our lakes reveals new remains, that must rapidly be studied before they are forever lost.

Shipwrecks off the island of Mozambique (Mozambique – 2018)

The Island of Mozambique is a long-forgotten legendary place. Since the end of the 15th century, it became a major Portuguese settlement, where most of the ships on the sea route to India would stop before crossing the ocean.
Today, a local archaeologist fights against treasure hunters to preserve the outstanding historical heritage. Under his supervision, an underwater archaeology learning center and a museum will open soon.