The Greeks have been sailing for 10,000 years and have one of the strongest maritime traditions in the world.

Archaeological finds - combined with pottery, art and poems of the period - have led experts to believe that the ancient Greeks used oared ships with large crews, as well as sailing boats of differing designs.

A fresco uncovered on the Greek island of Santorini, in the excavated town of Ancient Akrotiri, depicts the variety of ships used by the Minoan civilisation 3,500 years ago. These include trading and working ships, while other more ornate barges carry a small number of important passengers.

One of the most exciting ancient Greek naval finds was discovered off the northern coast of Cyprus in the 1960s. The wreck of Kyrenia – a port town in northern Cyprus - was explored by a team of experts in 1967 and recovery work began in 1968.

The wreck was the most well preserved maritime find of its type in the world and was recovered in 6,000 pieces, having been protected in the mud and sand of the sea-bottom.

The ship’s load of over 400 amphorae (carrying pots) was also recovered, with some amphorae still containing preserved stores of almonds and fig seeds. Experts pinpointed the ship’s cargo as coming from a number of different ports in the region, including Rhodes and Samos.

The Kyrenia wreck is believed to have held a crew of four and have been approximately 14.75 metres in length, 3.4 metres at its widest point and had a draw of approximately 1.4 metres. Spearheads, nets and other tools were also successfully excavated.

The remains of the boat and its many amphorae are on display in the castle of Kyrenia harbour, Cyprus.