Croatia: a wonderful find full of ancient amphorae!

Stacks of ancient amphorae, believed to be from a Roman shipwreck, have been found by underwater archaeologists in the blue Adriatic waters surrounding the islet of Šćedro south of Hvar. Researchers working at the site described the site as rare and extremely valuable, and dated its age to the 1st-2nd century BC.

The discovery of an intact site from ancient times in this area is a real miracle. The researchers are favoured by the fact that it has been hidden under a layer of sand from thieves and prying eyes. Thanks to this, the site has been preserved intact and will now slowly reveal its secrets to the archaeological team investigating it, led by Tea Katunarić from the University of Split.

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The priceless find consists of piles of dozens of amphorae, with their contents still unknown. According to the available information, some of the vessels are still corked, so there is a high probability that it will be possible to determine what exactly their contents were.

The cause of the sinking of the vessel that was carrying the found amphorae is also in the realm of speculation and hypothesis. Researchers assume that the vessel sank probably as a result of a storm, trying to find a safe harbour near the island of Šćedro.

After the research was completed, the find was secured with a special net to prevent looting, but it still allows the amphorae to be seen. According to information available in the Croatian press, there are plans to create an archaeological park at the site in the future, accessible to underwater tourists.

Poles have also contributed to the study of the position. Support has been provided by Mariusz Milka and Piotr Stós, among others, and an official partnership with the University of Warsaw is in preparation.

Source: marski.hr, dalmacijadanas.hr, magazin.hrt.hr
Photo: Mariusz Milka, Piotr Stós, Saša Denegri, Underwater Archaeology, University of Split, Arts Academy