On the coast of Croatia, a Roman-era shipwreck has provided archaeologists with some fascinating insights into how ancient ships were built and maintained to be able to withstand a long voyage at sea.
The shipwreck in question, referred to as Ilovik-Paržine 1, dates back to approximately 2,200 years ago, providing archaeologists with an extremely valuable resource for studying the Roman strategy of shipbuilding for the purpose of maritime trade.Most previous research has focused on how to make a sturdy bowl out of wood; Most of the recent focus has overlooked the use of non-wood materials as well as the various coatings used to keep wooden ships protected from seawater, decay, and marine life.
How bitumen and beeswax helped protect ancient Roman ships at sea
Shipbuilders in those ancient times used natural products that could protect their ships from the harsh conditions at sea. One of the main ingredients used for this purpose was pitch, a sticky product obtained by boiling pine resin.According to the discovery, titled “Adhesive coatings in marine archaeology: molecular and paleontological investigations on materials from the Roman Republican wreck Ilovik-Paržine 1 (Croatia),” published in Frontiers, the ship’s coating consisted mostly of bitumen obtained from pine resin, sometimes mixed with beeswax to improve flexibility and workability.
The ancient ship repair system is revealed through multiple layers of paint
The boat has been repaired several times throughout its life cycle.Scientists discovered four to five layers of paint on different sections of the boat, indicating that it had been maintained on different occasions, and perhaps in different places.It can be concluded that Roman boats were regularly maintained within a systematic process of repairing them to make them last longer.
Pollen analysis reveals Roman trade routes and repair sites
One major discovery was from pollen grains that were trapped in the material used in the paint.
Being sticky, the bitumen helped preserve these tiny bits of pollen that were part of the environment around it. Based on the analysis of this pollen, many landscapes can be deciphered, such as Mediterranean forest landscapes, as well as the coast.This reveals that the ship may have been repaired in several locations around the Adriatic Sea.
Why Roman shipwreck It has survived for more than two thousand years
The preservation of the shipwreck was also dependent on the nature of the surrounding underwater area.
When the ship sank, it was partially buried under sediment, limiting the amount of oxygen it could come into contact with.This reduced the rate at which bacteria affected organic matter, which helped preserve the ship. The ship remained in good condition even after about 2000 years.
What this Roman shipwreck reveals about ancient marine technology
This discovery proves that there was something more behind Roman shipbuilding than wooden boat building.
There were some waterproofing materials, an understanding of the chemical formulas, and repairs that needed to be done on a regular basis.The mixture of bitumen and beeswax, as well as multiple layers of paint, indicate the knowledge base that enabled the ships’ durability.The wrecks give us hints about how the ancient maritime system worked, proving that sturdy ships were built through efficient design and frequent repairs.
