What if part of Greek history is still out there, lying largely intact, just below the surface of the sea?
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Hellenic University Club of Wilmington will host Dr. Arthur “Art” Trembanis for a presentation titled Finding Ancient Underwater Treasures at the University of Delaware’s Arsht Hall.
Trembanis, a marine scientist at the University of Delaware, is known to many through the National Geographic series Drain the Oceans. But his work extends far beyond television. Trained in marine geology and oceanography, he specializes in seafloor mapping and underwater robotics, using advanced technology to document submerged landscapes and archaeological sites.
For Greeks, the idea carries particular weight. Beneath familiar waters lie ports, trade routes, and fragments of daily life that shaped the ancient world. These are not romantic myths or treasure hunts, but carefully documented sites where science and history meet.
Trembanis has worked alongside renowned ocean explorer Robert Ballard, best known for locating the wreck of the RMS Titanic. That collaboration placed him within a modern tradition of maritime exploration that blends engineering precision with respect for cultural heritage.
His current research includes work at the ancient port of Kenchreai near Corinth, once a gateway between Greece and the wider Mediterranean. There, robotics and acoustic imaging technologies are helping researchers map submerged structures and better understand how the port functioned in antiquity. What emerges is not spectacle, but context: trade networks, infrastructure, and the rhythms of coastal life.
The March 7 talk offers an opportunity to hear directly from a scientist working at the intersection of technology and Greek history. For a community that often looks back to its roots, it is a reminder that some of those roots are still being uncovered.
Event Information
Saturday, March 7, 2026
3:00 p.m.
University of Delaware, Arsht Hall
2700 Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19806
A recommended donation of $20 will support the Kenchreai project. Students are admitted free.
