Roman shipwreck excavations resumed near Croatia

[guy]

 

Archaeologists from Zadar, Croatia, continue their work on a Roman shipwreck near Sukošan in Barbir Bay. The shipwreck, dating to the first or second century AD, was first discovered four years ago when a 2,000-year-old wooden plank was found.

 

 

 

 

Excavations have uncovered hundreds of olive pits on board (see below), suggesting the shipwreck was used in agricultural transport of nearby estates.

 

🛶 Summary of the Barbir Bay Roman Shipwreck Discovery

📍 Location & Discovery

Site: Barbir Bay, near Sukošan, Croatia

Discovery Timeline: First identified in 2018 by archaeologists from the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (ICUA Zadar) after spotting a timber plank with an iron nail.

Full Excavation: Completed in 2025 after four and a half years of research.

🧱 Ship Details

Date: 1st–2nd century CE

Length: Approximately 12.5 meters (about 40 feet)

Construction: Constructed from three different types of wood, each chosen for specific structural roles.

Preservation: Exceptionally well-preserved, including rare upper works—an uncommon survival among ancient shipwrecks.

🧺 Cargo & Function

Primary Use: Cargo transport vessel

Contents Found:

Hundreds of olive pits onboard

Grape pits, peach pits, and walnut shells in the harbor area

Implication: Likely used to ferry agricultural produce from nearby estates.

🌊 Final Voyage & Burial

Probable Cause of Sinking: Suspected storm damage

Preservation Strategy: After photogrammetric documentation, the wreck was reburied with geotextile and sand to preserve its integrity.

Featured in National Geographic’s Lost Treasures of Rome and PBS’s Changing Seas in 2024 (see video below)

Plans underway to create a 1:10 scale model for display at the Zadar Centre for Underwater Archaeology.

🏛️ Historical Context & Significance

This shipwreck provides a rare insight into Roman maritime logistics along the Adriatic coast. Barbir Bay itself was part of a Roman harbor complex, likely serving estates and settlements in Dalmatia. The vessel’s sturdy construction and preserved cargo indicate a well-developed trade network, potentially connected to Roman villa economies or municipia provisioning routes.

The use of multiple wood types reflects sophisticated shipbuilding knowledge—perhaps echoing techniques seen in Mediterranean navis onerariae (merchant ships). The presence of olive and grape remains aligns with the Roman emphasis on oil and wine as staple commodities, often transported in amphorae.

 

https://allthatsinteresting.com/barbir-bay-croatia-roman-shipwreck

 

https://www.croatiaweek.com/extraordinary-2000-year-old-roman-shipwreck-discovered-in-croatia/

 

 

 

 

Croatia was an ancient production center for olives:

 

 

Zadar, Croatia, was a key Roman center for production and trade across the Empire.

Edited October 1, 2025 by guy