Archaeologists Find Ancient Roman Ships Near Island
Posted on: Thursday, 23 July 2009, 14:00 CDT
Archaeologists have discovered a “graveyard of ships” believed to have been transporting wine and other precious goods during the time between the first century AD and the fifth century AD.
"The ships appear to have been heading for safe anchorage, but they never made it," Timmy Gambin, head of archaeology for the Aurora Trust told Reuters.
"So in a relatively small area we have five wrecks...a graveyard of ships."
Discovered about 100 meters underwater near the Italian island of Ventotene, the ships were carrying wine from Italy, fish sauce, known as garum from Spain and north Africa, and metal ingots from Italy, believed to have been used in statues or weapons.
Archaeologists made the find using sonar along the seabed. They noted that the island was used by transport fleets as a place to shelter ships during harsh weather conditions.
Ventotene was also used as a location for exiled Roman noblewomen, including, Julia, daughter of Emperor Augustus, who was sent there after she committed adultery.
Gambin told Reuters that the find provides a revealing glimpse at Roman trade, which had evolved from primarily exporting goods to a system of more imports.
The ships remain virtually intact because of their depth, but Gambin said deep water diving in the area could result in a great loss to underwater finds in the area.
"There is a race against time," he said. "In the next 10 years, there will be an explosion in mixed-gas diving and these sites will be accessible to ordinary treasure hunters."
The Aurora Trust is planning a return trip to Ventotene in 2010.
“It is envisaged that a sub bottom profiler will be deployed over the 5 shipwrecks so as to determine the extent of the site buried in under the sediment,” according to a written statement on the trust’s Web site.
“Furthermore, the ROV will be deployed to carry out more photographic recording of the sites and if deemed necessary samples of objects from other sites will be recovered.”
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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