At the bottom of the North Sea, researchers have found an anchor from 2,000 years ago

During survey work, specialists from British power company Scottish Power found an anchor dating back 2,000 years.

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Scottish Power workers have found an artifact at the bottom of the southern North Sea. According to preliminary estimates, the anchor is about 2,000 years old and was made of wrought iron. They made their discovery during survey work near the East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm.

Company representatives said in an official statement that the anchor dates back to the Roman or late Iron Age. This makes it possible to narrow down its origin to 1600-2000 years ago. The finding of the artifact also provides important evidence of ancient Roman shipping and trade in the southern North Sea and off the coast of eastern England.

Researchers unearth anchor from 2,000 years ago

Researchers have brought the found anchor to the surface. The relic is more than two meters long and weighs about 100 kilograms. According to specialists, anchor it could have come from a vessel estimated to weigh 500-600 tons. It was probably one of the larger merchant ships in the Roman fleet.

The anchor was first spotted on the seabed in 2018 during seabed survey work about 40 km off the Suffolk coast. The unusual discovery was given special protection and monitoring by the researchers. Finally, in 2021, the artifact was safely and carefully picked up from the bottom and brought to the surface.

Many other discoveries in the region

As Scottish Power officials point out, the anchor is the latest of a number of significant historical and archaeological discoveries made during the wind farm’s construction. Other underwater and surface discoveries include a lost German submarine from World War I, numerous artifacts from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman period and the Middle Ages. Without a doubt, of particular interest, on the other hand, is a prehistoric monument dating back more than 4,000 years, which is currently still being studied by specialists.

As for the 2,000-year-old anchor, it has been taken to a conservation workshop, where it will be cleaned and protected. The relic will then be added to the museum’s collection and will be part of the exhibition.

Photo: ScottishPower