Remains of 2300-year-old Greek ship discovered off Croatia

Zagreb-SANA

Divers and archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Greek commercial ship dating back approximately 2300 years off the Croatian island of Vis, along with pottery fragments, a bronze coin, and preserved parts of its wooden hull. This discovery sheds light on aspects of maritime trade and sailors' lives in the ancient world.

Details of the Discovered Artifacts

The website 'Different', specializing in diving and maritime archaeology, reported two days ago that excavation works yielded a collection of Greek pottery vessels, including cups, plates, small jugs, and large jars known as 'Corinthian Type B amphorae', which were used to transport goods such as olive oil. The find also included animal bones and pieces of ship equipment.

Among the discovered items were black-painted pottery fragments bearing short inscriptions whose meanings researchers have not yet been able to determine precisely. Additionally, parts of the ship's wooden structure were found, including a beam section and approximately six meters of wooden planks, enabling researchers to study shipbuilding techniques used in the Adriatic Sea more than two millennia ago.

Dating Methodology and Historical Significance

Researchers relied on the morphological characteristics of the pottery jars and a lead anchor fragment to estimate the age of the wreck. This dating was further corroborated by the discovery of a coin issued by the ancient Greek city of Pharos, located on the nearby island of Hvar.

The Croatian Institute for Heritage Conservation noted the rarity of shipwrecks carrying jars of this type along the Croatian Adriatic coast, with only two other similar sites known in the region.

Prospects for Future Research

These discoveries are expected to expand researchers' knowledge of maritime trade networks in the region during the flourishing period of Greek colonies on the islands of Vis and Hvar. Furthermore, the daily utensils and tools found provide information about sailors' activities and lives during their maritime journeys.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)