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Archaeologists from the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Croatia (ICUA) have uncovered treasures aboard a trading ship that sank in the 16th century. The most valuable find among the cargo appears to be rare copper pipes.
What the Researchers Revealed
The vessel, armed with three English iron cannons, sank off the southern coast of Istria, near Cape Kamenjak. It likely fell victim to a storm.
According to a report from the underwater archaeologists, the ship carried a variety of goods, including ceramic dishes, colorful glass beads, and red glass bowls. During a recent dive, the team also discovered a cargo of copper pipes aboard the sunken vessel. At the time the ship sailed, such pipes were extremely rare and valuable, ILFScience reported.
Researcher Luka Bekić from ICUA told Croatian Radio and Television that the team found more than ten of these pipes. They were likely transported in sections and assembled at their destinations.
Archaeologists found inscriptions on the pipes indicating places of manufacture, including Strasbourg (France) and Leiden (Netherlands). One of the best-preserved pipe samples bears the inscription: LVGDVNY BATAVORVM, the Latin name for Leiden.
“Until now, no pipe from these cities has been known or preserved anywhere in the world,” the ICUA experts said.
After examining the cargo and details of the sailing ship, the team concluded the vessel was most likely Dutch and engaged in trade between Leiden, Venice, and Constantinople. That conclusion is not definitive. Archaeologists say they will need several more years of study of the cargo and the ship’s archives to build a fuller, more convincing picture.
In addition to the cargo, wooden structures and blocks, as well as pieces of rope, have been preserved on the ship. The archaeologists also found three cannons, which will remain on the seabed until future expeditions determine the best way to retrieve them safely.
Currently, researchers are using digital methods, including photogrammetry, to document the parts of the ship that have been surveyed. That data will help model the wreck site and reconstruct the scene of the sinking.
