Roman shipwreck uncovered in Croatia

"We came across a piece of timber with an iron nail, which suggested there might be something more significant nearby. The following year we expanded the search area and realised it was a Roman shipwreck. After four and a half years of research, this final season has allowed us to uncover the entire ship, Mladen Pesic, director of the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, told HRT."

"Hundreds of olive pits were found on the wreck, evidence that the ship was used to transport olives, probably from a local agricultural estate near the harbor. This is a very precise and stable type of ship construction, capable of carrying heavy loads and sailing medium to long distances. Such vessels were essential for life along our coast and islands two thousand years ago, explained Anton Divic, owner of the Croatian underwater archaeology company NavArchos."

"The ship cannot be removed due to the cost and danger of damage, so it will be covered with geotextile and then reburied with the sand that protected it before it was excavated. Archaeologists have thoroughly documented its structure and contacts and taken thousands of overlapping photographs from which to create photogrammetric models. The detail data will also be used to reconstruct a 1:10 model of the ship to demonstrate what it looked like when it was intact."

Archaeologists excavated a well-preserved Roman shipwreck from Barbir Bay, Croatia, dating to the 1st–2nd century and measuring about 12.5 meters long. Many elements of the upper works survived, an uncommon condition for ancient wrecks. The wreck was first detected in 2021 when a timber with an iron nail was found while investigating a Roman-era harbor; expanded searches confirmed the vessel. Hundreds of olive pits on the site indicate the ship transported olives, likely from a nearby estate. The hull shows precise, stable construction suited to heavy cargo and medium-to-long voyages. Conservators will re-cover the vessel with geotextile and sand, while comprehensive documentation and photogrammetry will support a 1:10 reconstruction model and future study of ancient shipbuilding and navigation.

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