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Archaeologist swimming near coral-covered shipwreck remains

INTREPID MUSEUM UNVEILS MYSTERIES FROM THE DEEP: EXPLORING UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY

Jun 17, 2025 - 11:00am

New Immersive Bilingual Exhibition Brings the Thrill of Deep-Sea Discovery to New York City Starting June 26

Prepare to dive into the fascinating world of underwater discovery as the Intrepid Museum premieres Mysteries from the Deep: Exploring Underwater Archaeology. This brand-new immersive exhibition opens on Thursday, June 26. Located in the Museum’s Space Shuttle Pavilion, the bilingual exhibition marks the first stop of a multi-year international tour co-produced with Flying Fish, the acclaimed exhibition firm behind the Museum’s popular Apollo: When We Went to the Moon.

This exhibition reflects the Museum’s ongoing commitment to delivering stories at the intersection of history and innovation. Rooted in Intrepid’s historic legacy as an aircraft carrier that launched warplanes in multiple conflicts, Mysteries from the Deep takes visitors beneath the surface to explore sunken aircraft, shipwrecks, submerged cities and lost landscapes. Presented in both English and Spanish, these investigations span conflicts, cultures and centuries, demonstrating how underwater archaeology connects the past to the present and informs the future. The exhibition covers more than 9,000 square feet and is on view through January 11, 2026. Entry is free with general admission.

Visitors become underwater archaeologists through 15 interactive experiences as they navigate sonar mapping, pilot a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), reconstruct digital dive sites and examine real artifacts from historic shipwrecks. From ancient ruins to cutting-edge technology, the exhibition displays the tools and tenacity behind underwater exploration.

Exhibition Highlights:

  1. Bilingual Presentation (English/Spanish) – All exhibition text, videos and educational materials are available in two languages to ensure broader access.
  2. Underwater Archaeology Lab – Explore the science of underwater discovery using authentic tools and experiment with sonar, ROVs and AI.
  3. Deep Dive into Intrepid’s Story – Apply newfound insights to the Museum’s aircraft collection, including the fragments of a Corsair featured in the exhibition Final Flight: Story of a WWII Corsair, located just steps away in the Museum’s hangar deck.
  4. Submerged Histories – Examine stories of Pavlopetri, Greece, the world’s oldest known sunken city and the Clotilda in Mobile Bay, Alabama, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S.
  5. Tools of the Trade – See archaeologist Megan Lickliter-Mundon’s actual dive suit and discover how remote sensing technologies like LiDAR and sonar illuminate the ocean floor.
  6. The Future of Exploration – Learn how underwater archaeology intersects with climate change, innovation and global preservation efforts.

Mysteries from the Deep is a powerful example of how immersive storytelling and groundbreaking technology bring the past to life and inspire the future,” said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of Intrepid Museum. “Not only is the science behind underwater archaeology both intriguing and exciting, but similar to the discovery of fragments of a Corsair flown off Intrepid’s own flight deck, on exhibit at the Museum, it also reveals the deeply human stories of those lost with the artifacts and the emotional connections that endure. We’re proud to partner with Flying Fish to share these discoveries and highlight, as we do across Intrepid, the intersection of history and innovation.”

Led by Guest Curator Megan Lickliter-Mundon, a leading underwater archaeologist and aviation specialist, the exhibition features perspectives from a wide range of experts and community voices, including the Clotilda Descendants Association, Diving with a Purpose and university researchers. Artifacts on loan and stories told with the communities they represent emphasize a collaborative and inclusive approach to history. Mysteries from the Deep also supports a robust lineup of public programs—from ocean-themed movies during the Museum’s summer movie series to accessible programs such as sensory-friendly mornings and virtual tours for audiences who are blind or have low vision.

“Flying Fish believes in elevating untold stories and spotlighting fields that deserve greater recognition,” said Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish. “In partnership with the Intrepid Museum, Mysteries from the Deep brings underwater archaeology to the forefront, showcasing the science of discovery and the remarkable human stories behind it, exactly the kind of compelling, underexplored subject we’re passionate about sharing.”

More than an exhibition, Mysteries from the Deep is an invitation to explore the unknown. Perfect for history lovers, science enthusiasts and curious minds of all ages, it offers a rare opportunity to uncover the hidden past and experience the thrill of discovery.

Learn more about the exhibition and purchase tickets here.

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A man and woman read an exhibit panel on Intrepid's flight deck while their child points at the propeller of an aircraft.
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