Ancient Roman Shipwreck Found off Croatia Reveals Trade Secrets!
A team of international underwater archaeologists is uncovering fascinating new insights into Roman maritime life following the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved shipwreck in Barbir Bay, near the town of Sukošan on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.
Believed to date from between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, the vessel was first identified in 2021 during excavations of an ancient Roman harbour. Since then, it has proven to be one of the most important archaeological finds in the region, offering a rare window into the trade networks that sustained communities across the Roman Empire.
Photo Credit: R. Scholz, International Center for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar
Measuring roughly 12.5 metres (around 40 feet) in length, the ship is thought to have been a merchant vessel, used to transport goods across the Adriatic Sea. Excavations revealed hundreds of olive pits within the wreck, suggesting it carried agricultural produce such as olives, grapes, peaches, and walnuts, items also found elsewhere at the harbour site.
These discoveries point to Barbir Bay once being a bustling hub for trade and supply, likely serving estates and settlements along the surrounding coastline. Together, the findings highlight how crucial maritime routes were in maintaining the flow of food and goods across the Roman frontier.
What makes this discovery truly exceptional is the ship’s state of preservation. Unlike most ancient wrecks, large portions of the upper structure have survived, thanks to the protective layer of bay sediments that covered it for centuries.
Experts describe the craftsmanship as both precise and durable, perfectly suited for carrying heavy cargo over medium to long distances. Vessels like this would have been vital to the Roman economy, linking islands, ports, and inland communities in a complex web of trade.
Photo Credit: R. Scholz, International Center for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar
During the latest excavation season, archaeologists meticulously cleaned and documented the remaining wooden structure using photogrammetry, a digital technique that produces detailed 3D models. These models, combined with physical analysis of the timber, will allow researchers to reconstruct the ship’s original design and better understand its sailing capabilities.
Through this process, scientists hope to shed light on Roman shipbuilding methods and navigation practices, deepening our understanding of how ancient mariners operated two thousand years ago.
The project is a joint effort involving experts from across the continent. It is led by the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, working alongside partners from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Germany’s Max Planck Institute, Aix-Marseille University in France, the French company Ipso Facto, and Croatia’s own NavArchos.
As research continues over the coming years, the Barbir Bay shipwreck promises to offer a rare and detailed glimpse into Roman trade, shipbuilding, and everyday life at seam, a time capsule from an empire that once ruled the waves.