Divers discover ancient artifacts where Roman ship sank off Croatia, video shows

Divers uncovered several ancient Roman artifacts off the coast of Croatia.

The discoveries were made during an expedition near Host — a small Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea — in September, according to a Feb. 28 news release from Seamagination, a marine research organization.

The island of Host had been of interest to archaeologists because at least one Roman ship is known to have sank there, and its remains are still discernible.

During the dive, a treasure hunter and archaeologist from the University of Split located an ancient Roman bowl and the neck of a Roman jug.

Video footage shows the objects — which appear to be covered in plant life — being examined by the duo.

The artifacts, which have soaked in salt water for millennia, will likely be sent for desalination, according to the researchers.

This would mean keeping them in freshwater for up to two years for the salt to slowly leave the artifacts, ensuring they aren’t damaged.

A number of Roman artifacts have previously been found off Croatia, including a 2,200-year-old shipwreck — still carrying its pottery cargo, according to previous reporting from McClatchy News.

Much of modern-day Croatia once encompassed the Roman province of Illyricum, which was eventually divided into two provinces: Dalmatia and Pannonia, according to the book “Croatia: A Nation Forged in War.”

This story was originally published March 6, 2024 at 9:06 AM with the headline "Divers discover ancient artifacts where Roman ship sank off Croatia, video shows."