2000-year-old glass treasure in Roman shipwreck discovered by an underwater robot in Mediterranean

Arkeonews ^ | July 24, 2023 | Oguz Buyukyildirim

[SunkenCiv]

In 2012, the wreck was discovered 350 meters (1150 feet) deep. The wreck was initially thought to be in French territorial waters, and the underwater archaeology department of France’s Culture Ministry conducted some preliminary surveys in 2013 and 2015. Diplomatic negotiations on where to draw the border shifted the discovery site into Italian territorial waters in 2016, and the two countries agreed to collaborate on a wreck study. The joint mission’s first campaign took place in the first week of this month...

This robot, one of the smallest and lightest in its category, can reach 2500 meters and allows not only to shoot high-definition video but also to ventilate or vacuum the sediment and recover objects. The Rov Hilarion, piloted by the archaeologist Denis Degez (Drassm) produces high-definition videos up to a depth of 500 m.

Arthur recovered a variety of glass pieces, including bottles, plates, cups, bowls, a small unguentarium (cosmetic vessel), and several raw blocks. Two large bronze basins and a few amphorae were brought to the surface in addition to the glassware.

At the moment the wreck is dated between the end of the 1st century and the beginning of the 2nd century AD but... the materials will be able to provide further details on the chronology of the shipwreck and more information on the route traveled by the ship on its last journey. At an initial analysis of the load, given the type of visible amphorae (“carrot” amphorae, oriental amphorae including probable Beirut-type amphorae and some Gauloise 4 amphorae) and the quantity of glass vessels and blocks of raw glass, the archaeologists believe that the ship must have come from a port in the Middle East, perhaps from Lebanon or Syria, and that it was headed for the French Provençal coast.

[Red Badger]

I wonder what the lumps of raw glass would have been used for?.................

[chaosagent]

I wonder what the lumps of raw glass would have been used for?.................

Raw glass used to make glassware like shown?

[Red Badger]

The major constituent of glass of that era is sand. Colorant minerals are added during the melting stage. Why would you ship blobs of your raw materials and the products together?............

[chaosagent]

Maybe so new glassware would match the old glassware that was being shipped, in case they wanted to make new stuff.

They obviously did it for a good reason. And this makes about as much sense as anything else.

[Lurker]

Thanks.

L

[SunkenCiv]

• Trove of dazzling glass pieces perfectly preserved in ancient shipwreck. See them by Moira Ritter, Miami Herald [07/27/2023]
• 2,300-year-old shipwreck — filled with wine jars — found off Egypt coast. See them by Moira Ritter [08/27/2023]