Shipwrecks in Dalmatia: 2nd through 9th centuries AD
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Transformations of Adriatic Europe (2 nd - 9 th c.) Zadar, 11th - 13th February 2016 Suzana Čule PhD student University of Zadar e-mail: [email protected] Asst. Prof. Dr Irena Radić Rossi Department of Archaeology University of Zadar e-mail: [email protected] Shipwrecks in Dalmatia: 2 nd through 9 th centuries AD This poster illustrates the current state of research of shipwrecks and wrecked cargos from the 2 nd through 9 th centuries AD in the present-day Dalmatia. It consolidates all published data through 2011, and also incorporates several other sites more recently discovered. It shows the geographical and chronological determination of 43 sites, reporting also the presumed provenance of the finds. The density of shipwrecks in the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea from the 4 th century BC to the 7 th century AD generally reflects the shipwreck density pattern in the entire Mediterranean Sea (Parker 1992). It is characterized by the highest density during the Late Roman Republic (2 nd -1 st century BC), and a progressive reduction in shipwreck occurrence toward the end of Classical Antiquity (Fig. 1). The study of shipwrecks and cargos is not a perfect analogy for the study of trade in antiquity; several common challenges influence the conclusions drawn about the intensity of trade based on underwater remains. These issues include: • Shallow shipwrecks and cargos are more easily discovered than deeper remains. Moreover, the evidence is limited to the amphorae, pottery and stone cargos, easily notable on the seabed. • The estimation of the origin and chronology of wrecked cargos is often based on a limited quantity of amphorae shards, distributed through a shallow surface layer of a site. • The ‘rescue’ nature of many research campaigns incompletely captures available archaeological data, and could skew interpretations about the origin or navigation route of a particular ship. • The compendium of recorded sites is based on random discoveries; the introduction of systematic surveys could significantly change the cumulative statistics of recorded sites. • There is a general lack of precision applicable to incompletely excavated or non- excavated sites (e.g. sites dated to 1 st /2 nd c. AD, or so, instead of more precise chronological determination). The parameters and limitations described above prevent ‘absolute’ statements. However, the lists and data available from known sites allow us to draw several conclusions: 1) The 43 total sites (considering the Izmetišće site with pottery and stone cargo as one single site) are dated as follows:17 sites are dated to the period from the 1 st /2 nd to the 3 rd c. AD, 12 sites are dated to the 3 rd /4 th c. AD, 12 sites are dated to the period from the 4 th /5 th to the 6 th c. AD, 2 sites are dated to the 6 th /7 th c. AD. There are no sites dated to the 8 th and 9 th c. AD. Although the imprecise chronological determination does not allow a more accurate systematization of sites, we can observe the maximum concentration of shipwrecks in the period of 1 st /2 nd and 3 rd /4 th c. AD, while half (7 sites) of the later sites belong to the period of 4 th /5 th or the 5 th c. AD. 2) The pottery/amphorae cargos registered for the period of the 1 st /2 nd to the 3 rd c. AD could be attributed in equal quantities to the Western (6 sites) and Eastern (7 sites) Mediterranean markets. What strikes on the Map 1 is the obvious concentration of Western Mediterranean and Adriatic cargos in Northern Dalmatia, and Eastern Mediterranean and local (stone) cargos in its middle and southern part. The cargos dating to the 3 rd /4 th c. AD are exclusively of North African origin (Map 3). The later cargos are divided between North African (8 sites) and Eastern Mediterranean origin (6 sites). The complete absence of Western Mediterranean cargos after the 3 rd c. AD is evident. 3) Considering the known historical information, the complete lack of shipwrecks from the 8 th and 9 th c. AD should be interpreted more as a “lack of evidence” of trade through shipwreck sites, rather than as an indication of a complete halt in seafaring and seaborne trade during the centuries in question. 4) Generally, the geographical and chronological distribution of the sites fits into the known/accepted historical and economical image of Mediterranean trade during the period of Classical Antiquity and Early Middle Ages. 5) Systematic cataloguing of wrecked ships and cargos, systematic excavations, and the re-examination of old evidence are of essential importance for future studies. Selected bibliography (containing references on the reported sites): Dissertations: Parica, M., Arheološki tragovi kamenarstva od prapovijesti do srednjeg vijeka, doktorski rad, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, 2014. Parker, A. Ancient Shipwrecks of the Mediterranean & the Roman Provinces, BAR Archaeological Series, Oxford, 1992. Radić Rossi, I., Problematika prapovijesnih i antičkih nalazišta u hrvatskom podmorju, doktorski rad, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, 2011. Vrsalović, D., Arheološka istraživanja u podmorju istočnog Jadrana: prilog poznavanju trgovačkih plovnih putova i gospodarskih prilika na Jadranu u antici, doktorski rad, Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, 1979 (printed in 2011. by Književni krug Split & Arheološki muzej Split). Selected articles from: Hrvatski arheološki godišnjak / Croatian Archaeological Yearbook 1-7, Ministarstvo kulture RH / Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb. Potopljena baština / Submerged Heritage 1-5, Međunarodni centar za podvodnu arheologiju / International Centre for Underwater Archaeology, Zadar. 4 th /3 rd c. BC 2 nd /1 st c. BC 1 st /2 nd c. AD 3 rd /4 th c. AD 5 th /6 th c. AD Fig.1 Chronological distribution of shipwrecks in Croatia (4 th c. BC - 6 th c. AD) Map 1: Cargos of Western Mediterranean and Adriatic origin (1 st /2 nd -3 rd c. AD), (orange spots): Lukar, islet near Pag, 1 st /2 nd c. Zapadni greben, islet near the island of Silba, 1 st /2 nd c. Ploče, promontory on the island of Olib, 1 st /2 nd c. Martinska, near Šibenik, 3 rd c. Gušteranski, islet, 1 st /2 nd c. Krbar (Kurbar), island of Žut, 2 nd c. (?) Cargos of Eastern Mediterranean origin (1 st /2 nd -3 rd c. AD), (green spots): Južni greben, islet near the island of Silba, 2 nd /3 rd c. Supetarska, bay on the island of Čiovo, 1 st -3 rd c. Pelegrin, promontory on the island of Hvar , 1 st /2 nd c. Izmetišće, promontory on the island of Sv. Kliment in Pakleni otoci near Hvar, 2 nd c. Knez, promontory on the island of Vis, 1 st /2 nd c. Sv. Ivan near Viganj on the Pelješac promontory, 2 nd c. Maharac, promontory bay on the island of Mljet, 1 st /2 nd c. Stone cargos of local or Eastern Mediterranean origin (1 st /2 nd -3 rd c. AD), (blue spots): Sutivan, island of Brač, 2 nd c. Splitska, bay on the island of Brač, 3 rd c. (?) Izmetišće, promontory on the island of Sv. Kliment in Pakleni otoci near Hvar, 2 nd c. Jakljan, northern side of the island, 1 st -3 rd c. Veli Školj, islet on the SE side of the island of Mljet, 1 st /2 nd c. MAP 2 Cargos of North African origin (3 rd /4 th c. aD): Santiš, promontory on the SE side of the island of Pag, 3 rd -4 th c. Ploče, promontory on the E side of the island of Olib, 3 rd -4 th c. Zubinin, promontory on the SE side of the island of Olib, 3 rd -4 th c. Grebeni, rocks near the island of Silba, 3 rd -4 th c. Zmajan, island, 3 rd -4 th c. Sridan, promontory on the NW side of the island of Žirje, 3 rd -4 th c. Duboka, bay on the island of Hvar, 4 th c. Dingački školj, islet on the S side of the Pelješac peninsula, 3 rd /4 th c. Prapratna, port on the Pelješac peninsula, 3 rd -4 th c. Vela Dolina, bay on the island of Mljet, 4 th c. Sobra, bay on the island of Mljet, 3 rd /4 th c. Velika, shallows near the islet of Supetar near Cavtat, 3 rd /4 th c. MAP 3 Cargos of North African origin (4 th -7 th c. AD), (red spots): Veli Brušnjak, islet near Pag, 4 th -5 th c. Strait of Škarda, near the island of Ist, 4 th -5 th c. Babuljaš, islet near Pakoštane, 4 th /5 th c. Veli Školj, islet near Pakoštane, 4 th /5 th c. Petrov bok, bay on the island of Hvar, 5 th c. Žuljana, bay on the S side of Pelješac peninsula, 4 th /5 th c. Žrvanj, promontory on the island of Lastovo, 5 th /6 th c. Sito, position on the island of Lastovo, Mali Brod strait, 6 th /7 th c. Cargos of Eastern Mediterranean origin (4 th -7 th c. AD), (green spots): Kamenjak, islet on NW of the island of Premuda, 6 th c. Ždrijac, peninsula in Nin, 6 th /7 th c. Ložica, bay near Rogoznica, 6 th c. Vela Garška, bay near Hvar, 4 th -6 th c. Zace, bay on the island of Lastovo, 4 th -6 th c. Kozarica, bay on the island of Mljet, 4 th /5 th c. Veli Školj near pakoštane Duboka bay on the island of Hvar Velika shallows near Cavtat Izmetišće promontory, island of Hvar Sv. Ivan near Viganj Ždrijac peninsula in Nin (after Brusić 1972)
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Transcript of Shipwrecks in Dalmatia: 2nd through 9th centuries AD
Transformations of Adriatic Europe(2nd - 9th c.)Zadar, 11th - 13th February 2016
Suzana ČulePhD studentUniversity of Zadare-mail: [email protected]
Asst. Prof. Dr Irena Radić RossiDepartment of Archaeology
University of Zadare-mail: [email protected]
Shipwrecks in Dalmatia: 2nd through 9th centuries AD
This poster illustrates the current state of research of shipwrecks and wrecked cargos from the 2nd through 9th centuries AD in the present-day Dalmatia. It consolidates all published data through 2011, and also incorporates several other sites more recently discovered. It shows the geographical and chronological determination of 43 sites, reporting also the presumed provenance of the finds.The density of shipwrecks in the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea from the 4th century BC to the 7th century AD generally reflects the shipwreck density pattern in the entire Mediterranean Sea (Parker 1992). It is characterized by the highest density during the Late Roman Republic (2nd-1st century BC), and a progressive reduction in shipwreck occurrence toward the end of Classical Antiquity (Fig. 1). The study of shipwrecks and cargos is not a perfect analogy for the study of trade in antiquity; several common challenges influence the conclusions drawn about the intensity of trade based on underwater remains. These issues include:•Shallow shipwrecks and cargos are more easily discovered than deeper remains.
Moreover, the evidence is limited to the amphorae, pottery and stone cargos, easily notable on the seabed.
•The estimation of the origin and chronology of wrecked cargos is often based on a limited quantity of amphorae shards, distributed through a shallow surface layer of a site.
•The ‘rescue’ nature of many research campaigns incompletely captures available archaeological data, and could skew interpretations about the origin or navigation route of a particular ship.
•The compendium of recorded sites is based on random discoveries; the introduction of systematic surveys could significantly change the cumulative statistics of recorded sites.
•There is a general lack of precision applicable to incompletely excavated or non-excavated sites (e.g. sites dated to 1st/2nd c. AD, or so, instead of more precise chronological determination).
The parameters and limitations described above prevent ‘absolute’ statements. However, the lists and data available from known sites allow us to draw several conclusions:1) The 43 total sites (considering the Izmetišće site with pottery and stone cargo as one single site) are dated as follows:17 sites are dated to the period from the 1st/2nd to the 3rd c. AD, 12 sites are dated to the 3rd/4th c. AD, 12 sites are dated to the period from the 4th/5th to the 6th c. AD, 2 sites are dated to the 6th/7th c. AD. There are no sites dated to the 8th and 9th c. AD. Although the imprecise chronological determination does not allow a more accurate systematization of sites, we can observe the maximum concentration of shipwrecks in the period of 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th c. AD, while half (7 sites) of the later sites belong to the period of 4th/5th or the 5th c. AD. 2) The pottery/amphorae cargos registered for the period of the 1st/2nd to the 3rd c. AD could be attributed in equal quantities to the Western (6 sites) and Eastern (7 sites) Mediterranean markets. What strikes on the Map 1 is the obvious concentration of Western Mediterranean and Adriatic cargos in Northern Dalmatia, and Eastern Mediterranean and local (stone) cargos in its middle and southern part. The cargos dating to the 3rd/4th c. AD are exclusively of North African origin (Map 3). The later cargos are divided between North African (8 sites) and Eastern Mediterranean origin (6 sites). The complete absence of Western Mediterranean cargos after the 3rd c. AD is evident.
3) Considering the known historical information, the complete lack of shipwrecks from the 8th and 9th c. AD should be interpreted more as a “lack of evidence” of trade through shipwreck sites, rather than as an indication of a complete halt in seafaring and seaborne trade during the centuries in question. 4) Generally, the geographical and chronological distribution of the sites fits into the known/accepted historical and economical image of Mediterranean trade during the period of Classical Antiquity and Early Middle Ages.5) Systematic cataloguing of wrecked ships and cargos, systematic excavations, and the re-examination of old evidence are of essential importance for future studies.
Selected bibliography (containing references on the reported sites):Dissertations:
Parica, M., Arheološki tragovi kamenarstva od prapovijesti do srednjeg vijeka, doktorski rad, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, 2014.
Parker, A. Ancient Shipwrecks of the Mediterranean & the Roman Provinces, BAR Archaeological Series, Oxford, 1992.
Radić Rossi, I., Problematika prapovijesnih i antičkih nalazišta u hrvatskom podmorju, doktorski rad, Sveučilište u Zadru, Zadar, 2011.
Vrsalović, D., Arheološka istraživanja u podmorju istočnog Jadrana: prilog poznavanju trgovačkih plovnih putova i gospodarskih prilika na Jadranu u antici, doktorski rad, Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, 1979 (printed in 2011. by Književni krug Split & Arheološki muzej Split).
Selected articles from:
Hrvatski arheološki godišnjak / Croatian Archaeological Yearbook 1-7, Ministarstvo kulture RH / Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Zagreb.
Potopljena baština / Submerged Heritage 1-5, Međunarodni centar za podvodnu arheologiju / International Centre for Underwater Archaeology, Zadar.
4th /3rd c. BC 2nd /1st c. BC 1st /2nd c. AD 3rd /4th c. AD 5th /6th c. AD
Fig.1 Chronological distribution of shipwrecks in Croatia (4th c. BC - 6th c. AD)
Map 1:Cargos of Western Mediterranean and Adriatic origin (1st/2nd-3rd c. AD), (orange spots): Lukar, islet near Pag, 1st/2nd c. Zapadni greben, islet near the island of Silba, 1st/2nd c. Ploče, promontory on the island of Olib, 1st/2nd c. Martinska, near Šibenik, 3rd c. Gušteranski, islet, 1st/2nd c. Krbar (Kurbar), island of Žut, 2nd c. (?)Cargos of Eastern Mediterranean origin (1st/2nd-3rd c. AD), (green spots):Južni greben, islet near the island of Silba, 2nd/3rd c. Supetarska, bay on the island of Čiovo, 1st-3rd c. Pelegrin, promontory on the island of Hvar, 1st/2nd c. Izmetišće, promontory on the island of Sv. Kliment in Pakleni otoci near Hvar, 2nd c. Knez, promontory on the island of Vis, 1st/2nd c. Sv. Ivan near Viganj on the Pelješac promontory, 2nd c. Maharac, promontory bay on the island of Mljet, 1st/2nd c. Stone cargos of local or Eastern Mediterranean origin (1st/2nd-3rd c. AD), (blue spots):Sutivan, island of Brač, 2nd c.Splitska, bay on the island of Brač, 3rd c. (?)Izmetišće, promontory on the island of Sv. Kliment in Pakleni otoci near Hvar, 2nd c.Jakljan, northern side of the island, 1st-3rd c.Veli Školj, islet on the SE side of the island of Mljet, 1st/2nd c.
MAP 2Cargos of North African origin (3rd/4th c. aD): Santiš, promontory on the SE side of the island of Pag, 3rd-4th c.Ploče, promontory on the E side of the island of Olib, 3rd-4th c.Zubinin, promontory on the SE side of the island of Olib, 3rd-4th c.Grebeni, rocks near the island of Silba, 3rd-4th c.Zmajan, island, 3rd-4th c.Sridan, promontory on the NW side of the island of Žirje, 3rd-4th c.Duboka, bay on the island of Hvar, 4th c.Dingački školj, islet on the S side of the Pelješac peninsula, 3rd/4th c.Prapratna, port on the Pelješac peninsula, 3rd-4th c.Vela Dolina, bay on the island of Mljet, 4th c.Sobra, bay on the island of Mljet, 3rd/4th c.Velika, shallows near the islet of Supetar near Cavtat, 3rd/4th c.
MAP 3Cargos of North African origin (4th-7th c. AD), (red spots): Veli Brušnjak, islet near Pag, 4th-5th c. Strait of Škarda, near the island of Ist, 4th-5th c.Babuljaš, islet near Pakoštane, 4th/5th c.Veli Školj, islet near Pakoštane, 4th/5th c.Petrov bok, bay on the island of Hvar, 5th c.Žuljana, bay on the S side of Pelješac peninsula, 4th/5th c. Žrvanj, promontory on the island of Lastovo, 5th/6th c.Sito, position on the island of Lastovo, Mali Brod strait, 6th/7th c.Cargos of Eastern Mediterranean origin (4th-7th c. AD), (green spots):Kamenjak, islet on NW of the island of Premuda, 6th c.Ždrijac, peninsula in Nin, 6th/7th c.Ložica, bay near Rogoznica, 6th c.Vela Garška, bay near Hvar, 4th-6th c.Zace, bay on the island of Lastovo, 4th-6th c.Kozarica, bay on the island of Mljet, 4th/5th c.
Veli Školj near pakoštane
Duboka bay on the island of Hvar
Velika shallows near Cavtat
Izmetišće promontory, island of Hvar
Sv. Ivan near Viganj
Ždrijac peninsula in Nin (after Brusić 1972)
