Marine archaeologists have discovered a well-preserved shipwreck in the deep waters off the island of Socotra. The vessel, identified as an Indo-Greek merchant ship from the 3rd century BCE, contains a cargo of fossilized elephant ivory, lead ingots, and traces of ancient cinnamon bark stored in terracotta jars.
The discovery provides the first physical evidence of direct trade between the Mauryan-controlled coastlines and the Hellenistic world via the Socotra hub. The ship's design shows a hybrid of Mediterranean hull construction and Indian rigging techniques, illustrating the technological exchange of the era.