Anatomy of a sinking: the Kyrenia Liberty trial

This paper provides a unique lens into the capsizing of Kyrenia Liberty, a reconstruction of the 4th-century BC Kyrenia shipwreck. The voyage, departing Limassol Marina for Paphos, aimed to document sailing configurations using video, 360° photography, and Sailmon® instruments to record speed, heading, heel angles, and wind data. However, the ship capsized hours into the trip. Using surviving digital data, 3D models, and the team’s expertise, this study investigates the causes of the capsize, offering insights into ancient seafaring challenges and processes, often imperceptible to the archaeologist. Although the journey was cut short, such events contribute to research development in unexpected and meaningful ways.