Ancient Roman shipwrecks found off Italy

[Nagishkaw 510]

ROME (AP) — Archaeologists have found five well-preserved Roman shipwrecks deep under the sea off a small Mediterranean island, with their cargo of vases, pots and other objects largely intact, officials said Friday.

The ships are submerged between 100 and 150 meters (about 330 to 490 feet) off Ventotene, a tiny island that is part of an archipelago off Italy's west coast between Rome and Naples.

The ships, which date from between the 1st century B.C. and the 4th century, carried amphorae — vases used for holding wine, olive oil and other products — as well as kitchen tools and metal and glass objects that have yet to be identified, Italy's Culture Ministry said. The spot was highly trafficked, and hit by frequent storms and dangerous sea currents.

The discovery is part of a new drive by archaeological officials to scan deeper levels of the sea and prevent looting of submerged treasures.

Discoveries of shipwrecks are not unusual in the Mediterranean, but these ships are far better preserved than most, which are often found scattered in fragments, said Annalisa Zarattini, the head of the ministry's office for underwater archaeology. Because the ships sank at a deeper lever than most known wrecks, they were not exposed to destructive underwater currents, she said.

The ships also sank without capsizing, allowing researchers to observe their cargo largely as it had been loaded, Zarattini said.

"It is like an underwater museum," Zarattini said. The finding also sheds light on the trade routes of ancient Rome, marking the area as a major commercial crossroads, she said.

Treasure hunters usually dive down to about 30 meters (about 100 feet) underwater, but new and fast-spreading technology will make it increasingly easier for them to dive deep, Zarattini said. "It's important to arrive first," she added.

The ships were found during explorations concluded earlier this month by the ministry and the AURORA Trust, a U.S. group that gathers maritime researchers and provides equipment to explore the sea.

The researchers used sonar technology to provide imagery of the seabed and then employed remotely operated vehicles, the Culture Ministry and the AURORA Trust said.

The oldest of the ships has a cargo of wine amphorae from southern Italy, some stacked in their original position, AURORA said. Another one was carrying moratoria, large bowls used to grind grains. Another was loaded with African amphorae carrying garum, a fish sauce that was a delicacy in ancient Rome.

The largest wreck measures more than 20 meters (65 feet).

A handful of objects were taken out to be studied and will be put on display in Ventotene.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-07...hipwrecks_N.htm

[Peikko 1,575]

Just time to say, how cool is that? Nice post

[Nagishkaw 510]

I find this so interesting .

[Amby 490]

Very cool. I hope they write more about it soon.

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow awesome find!

Next up:

Jimmy Hoffa's concrete block.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Cool beans.

Daniel

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This is really interesting. Thanks for posting it.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Dam. Millionaires overnight!

[Scott & Lai 12]

Very cool

[DeadPoolX 9]

That's awesome. My wife's degree and background is in archaeology and anthropology, with a heavy emphasis on classic and ancient cultures. Her favorite is Greece (but she likes Rome too).

[NickD 202]

When I purchased property in Central Wisconsin to build my home, was under the impression it was virgin land. I needed a lot of dirt to fill around my home, but asked myself, why buy it when I had plenty of it. So got my tractor and went way in back. I dug up what was a stone foundation for a building about 10 by 15 feet with a rotted out wood floor. Checked at the courthouse, no record of it, somebody lived there before records were kept. Some of the real old timers recalled a log cabin was there a long time ago. But remains a mystery to whom built that cabin or when they lived there. Left it as a monument.

Did meet an old Indian of the Chippewa tribe that did know his history, amazing how those people survived the cold winters of Wisconsin living in teepee's and off the land. And were doing that for thousands of years.

In that area, only had to dig down 12 feet and was plenty of very good water to drink, but never found a stone well that was common, miss having my own well and septic system, especially when we get our water bill once a month. Told my wife about that, she asked if we could drill a well in our back yard. Said no, it's against a city ordinance. Amazing how we screwed up this once great land with laws and our independence.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Well water is the best. My mother has well water so when I go visit her, I take plenty of empty jugs.

[Ban Hammer 12,900]

Well water is the best. My mother has well water so when I go visit her, I take plenty of empty jugs.