27-02-2013
A) General
A) General

The sponge was first mentioned in the works of Aristotle, Homer and Plato. Since ancient times, the life and culture of Kalymnos Island has been linked to this sea creature....

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29-01-2013
B) Preparation and Departure
B) Preparation and Departure

Easter had just gone and it was time for the sponge boats to leave. The trip would last from six to seven months. It was a really long time… The families...

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29-01-2013
C) Sponge Diving - The trip
C) Sponge Diving - The trip

The trip had begun. No much time for rest and sleep, the responsibilities had been assigned. Each man was necessary; the cook, the washer, the diver and the rest of...

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29-01-2013
D) The Return
D) The Return

The fleets’ return began in September.   When the first boats showed up in the main harbour, the women and children tried to see if it was the boat with their...

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12-02-2013
E) Sponge Trade and Processing
E) Sponge Trade and Processing

The first days, after the arrival, the sponges were being scattered under the sun. There, the sponge traders made the deals and buy the merchandise. Sponges were then carried to the...

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19-03-2013
F) References - more info

References - More Info We would like to thank Mr Kyrannis, the Kalymnos Archives, the Maritime Museum and local authors of books related to sponge diving for the valuable information and images...

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