Preserved shipwreck from 3rd century BC is discovered near Croatian island 

Preserved shipwreck from 3rd century BC discovered on Croatian coast (Photo credit: Saša Denegri & Robert Kramarić)

A fully preserved, previously undiscovered shipwreck containing a cargo of ancient amphorae from the 3rd century BC has been found in the waters of the Šćedra Island archipelago, just off the southern coast of Hvar island, the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media said in a statement on Friday. 

In accordance with the cooperation plan between the Croatian Navy and the Italian Navy, a joint training exercise involving mine clearance divers from the Croatian Navy Fleet and their Italian counterparts was conducted in the central Adriatic waters from June 15th to 21st.

Using mine clearance procedures and various types of equipment such as underwater autonomous vehicles and remotely operated underwater vehicles, the first week focused on joint conditioning training in the waters near Čiovo Island, while the second week involved diving activities in the waters around Hvar Island.

(Photo credit: Saša Denegri & Robert Kramarić)

The longstanding cooperation between the Croatian Navy and the Italian Navy has been intensified since 2021 through the engagement of Croatian mine clearance divers on Italian minehunter vessels as part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2).

This activity has provided an excellent opportunity to enhance collaboration with other government bodies and scientific institutions. Considering the possibility of conducting underwater activities in adverse weather conditions and taking into account the information provided by the Ministry of Culture and Media regarding existing and potential archaeological sites (shipwrecks), the exercise location was chosen to be the waters surrounding Šćedra Island.

(Photo credit: Saša Denegri & Robert Kramarić)

The activity was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Conservation Department in Split of the Ministry of Culture and Media, and the University of Split. After determining the search perimeter, a multi-layered seabed scanning process was initiated. 

By analyzing the collected data and reviewing the recorded material, several potential “contacts” (positions) that could represent archaeological sites (shipwrecks) were identified. 

Targeted positions were then explored using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with a small sonar and camera, or joint teams of Croatian and Italian mine clearance divers immediately conducted dives to determine the context of the finds. The examination of one of these positions resulted in the discovery of a previously unknown, fully preserved ancient shipwreck.

Underwater archaeologists from the Ministry of Culture and Media, Saša Denegri, and from the University of Split, Tea Katunarić Kirjakov, conducted dives at the specific location and confirmed that the shipwreck is fully preserved and dates back to the 3rd century BC, containing a cargo of ancient amphorae. It rests at a depth of 50 meters.

(Photo credit: Saša Denegri & Robert Kramarić)

Considering the dating and preservation of the site, this is one of the earliest fully preserved shipwrecks on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. Future archaeological research will determine the exact context, extent, and characteristics of the site, based on which plans for its protection, conservation, and presentation will be developed.