“There are three kinds of men: the Living, the Dead, and those who go to Sea.” Aristotle…
This is one of the favorite quotes of Jean-Pierre Joncheray who, himself, chose a fourth way: to explore under the sea to attempt to explain the lives of “seafaring people.” A maritime historian, underwater archaeologist, and specialist in shipwrecks from antiquity to the present day, an indefatigable seeker of new relics for over 50 years, he has delighted us with his various books about his discoveries in the Mediterranean. But he had a project in mind for a long time, to make known to the greatest number the richness of the underwater heritage surrounding the town of Cavalaire…First an exhibition…Provided by the Archaeological Museum of Saint-Raphaël, this very comprehensive exhibition begins by discussing the shipwrecks of the Mediterranean waters in general and then more specifically those in the waters of Cavalaire. “Cavalaire, it’s extraordinary,” Jean-Pierre tells us. It is possible to find both wrecks dating from the 6th century B.C., the time of the Greco-Etruscans, and planes sunk during World War II! It is thus a journey through the centuries that you will be able to accomplish throughout the visit, with the showcase of about fifteen shipwrecks used as examples.
…But also a conferenceA talented speaker, Jean-Pierre Joncheray will strive, using abundant and varied iconography as well as splendid underwater images, to draw a parallel between the terrestrial archaeology near Cavalaire and the various maritime events. He will make you relive, with his many anecdotes, the lives of the inhabitants and seafaring people who have occupied the territory over the centuries. Open your eyes and ears wide and prepare for surprising and little-known revelations about the origin of the wrecks and the circumstances of their shipwrecks.
Meet at the auditorium of the Media Library of Cavalaire on Tuesday, January 26 at 2:30 PM to attend the conference. And at 6 PM at the archaeological space, do not miss the opening of the exhibition in the presence of Philippe Léonelli, Mayor of Cavalaire, Anne Podevin, Deputy Delegate for Culture, Anne Joncheray, Director of the Saint-Raphaël Museum and of course Jean-Pierre Joncheray, archaeologist and maritime historian.
The exhibition, for its part, is accessible until June 25, 2016.
