Archaeologists say the underwater area will be thoroughly searched for any other artifacts or parts of the prehistoric ship that may have survived.Image credit: Naples Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape
Posted on 12/02/2023 4:09:38 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Divers off the coast of Naples, Italy have recovered a large chunk of chiseled obsidian that likely went down in a Stone Age shipwreck more than 5,000 years ago.
Divers from Naples, Italy have recovered a block of obsidian from the remains of what is likely a Neolithic, or New Stone Age shipwreck near the island of Capri.
The natural-glass block is about the size of a very large book and weighs almost 17.6 pounds (8 kilograms). There are visible signs of chiseling on its surface, and archaeologists think it was an obsidian "core" that would have been used to make sharp-edged flakes for cutting...
The dive took place within sight of Capri's famous Blue Grotto — a sea cave once used for private bathing by the Roman emperor Tiberius, who had a palace on the island. The cave is now a tourist attraction that can be visited by boat, but swimming there is prohibited because authorities say the waves and tides make it too dangerous...
The obsidian core is the first artifact from the wreck to be recovered, but others are expected to be found in the same area.
Archaeologists think the natural glass was once part of a cargo carried on a vessel during the Neolithic period, more than 5,000 years ago. However, the watercraft itself is unlikely to be found, as wood that old usually rots away.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Archaeologists say the underwater area will be thoroughly searched for any other artifacts or parts of the prehistoric ship that may have survived.Image credit: Naples Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape
Knapping rock could cut you wide open.
Wood in sea water is eaten by "shipworms" or Teredo worms. They are wood eating marine bivalve molluscs.
They are considered a delicacy in some places and are called "naked clams".
Can’t help but wonder how many maimed themselves making points out of flint and obsidian, etc....
“Can’t help but wonder....”
I’m sure it was an occupational hazard.
I used to have a flake of obsidian: It was scary sharp.
Recently Ive heard that too, that they are delicious. Ive never had them. I have pretty adventurous tastes and a broad palate but Ive always heard in the past that they were absolutely disgusting both in flavor and texture so only the poorest even in places like China ate them.
I guess we will all find out which it is soon enough.
Dragon glass from Westeros
Chiseled Obsidian would make a great name for a garage band.
“I’ve read that it is possible for a sharp edge of this material to get down to one molecule thick.”
Obsidian Scalpels
https://www.finescience.com/en-US/Products/Scalpels-Blades/Micro-Knives/Obsidian-Scalpels
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