Archaeologists Recover 2,000-Year-Old Roman Navy Ship

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Following a marathon four and a half year excavation, archaeologists in Croatia have excavated a remarkably well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman navy ship, Ancient Origins reported. The vessel, measuring 41 feet long, was discovered in Sukošan and remains terrifically well intact considering its age. The ship’s preservation offers an indelible glimpse into Roman construction techniques and trade networks circa the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.

Ship Was Discovered During Routine Harbor Survey

In 2021, archaeologists conducting a routine survey of a Roman harbor discovered a piece of timber, within which was embedded an iron nail, at a depth of only six feet. After further investigation, the ship was revealed. Its shallow positioning within the moist sand ended up being the optimal conditions for preservation, nullifying the destruction typically carried out by marine organisms and oxygen.

Anton Divić, who works with the Croatian underwater archaeology company NavArchos, told  Heritage Daily that the ship is "a very precise and stable type of ship construction, capable of carrying heavy loads and sailing medium to long distances."

Artifacts Were Also Found on Board

Upon investigating its cargo compartments, archaeologists discovered a variety of artifacts that date back approximately 2,000 years. Within the hull, researchers found hundreds of olive pits as well as the remnants of grapes, peaches, and walnuts, a display of the wide range of food which made its way through Roman trade networks. Also found within the vessel was a coin dating back to the reign of Emperor Trajan, who ruled from the late first century into the early second century A.D. At this time, Roman marine commerce was at its peak, and merchant vessels made routine treks across the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, ferrying regular food supplies as well as luxury items.

While the wreck was initially planned to be removed from its watery resting place and restored for museum display, archaeologists ultimately decided against this and opted to return the wreck to its original location. Part of the decision was due to the extremely high cost of recovering and then conserving the vessel. It was also determined that the location where the ship was found is, in fact, the perfect location for its ongoing preservation. However, before returning the ship to the sea, researchers will outfit it with a protective geotextile outer membrane, which will protect it from damage while simultaneously preserving the stable conditions in which it’s thrived for the last 2,000 years.