A Byzantine shipwreck discovered near the Croatian island of Mljet has yielded an exceptionally rare collection of gold belt fittings, imperial coins and other luxury objects. Archaeologists believe the vessel sank in the late seventh or early eighth century while carrying high-ranking passengers or valuable diplomatic cargo through the Adriatic.
The wreck is one of 20 previously unknown shipwrecks discovered during nearly two decades of underwater archaeological work around Mljet. These sites range in date from the second century BC to the sixteenth century, but researchers describe the Byzantine vessel as one of the most important underwater discoveries from this period in the eastern Adriatic.
The Croatian Conservation Institute’s Department of Underwater Archaeology began investigating the wreck in 2015. Nine research campaigns have since been conducted under the leadership of underwater archaeologists Igor Miholjek, who heads the archaeological investigation, and Pavle Dugonjić, head of the department.
Gold belonging to the Byzantine elite
Photo courtesy Croatian Conservation Institute
The most notable discoveries are four gold belt sets, including gold buckles and fittings decorated with emeralds, rubies and pearls. These luxurious objects would have adorned the leather belts of high-ranking Byzantine dignitaries.
According to the Croatian Conservation Institute, comparable objects have not previously been found on the Mediterranean seabed. Their presence suggests that the ship was transporting passengers or possessions connected to the highest levels of Byzantine society.
A gold ring bearing an image of an emperor from the Heraclian dynasty offers further evidence of the status of those aboard. Researchers believe that such a ring could only have belonged to a member of the senior state or military leadership who possessed the authority to seal imperial documents.
The ring may have been the personal property of a high-ranking Byzantine official or a diplomatic gift. In either case, it points to the importance of the ship’s passengers and the cargo they were carrying.
Archaeologists also recovered gold coins issued by four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty. Dating to the end of the seventh century, the coins are helping researchers establish a more precise date for the ship’s final voyage.
The Heraclian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire during a period of major political and military change. Beginning with the reign of Emperor Heraclius in 610, its emperors faced wars with the Sasanian Empire, the rapid expansion of the early Islamic caliphates and the transformation of Byzantine power across the Mediterranean.
A ship carrying luxury and commercial cargo
Photo courtesy Croatian Conservation Institute
Despite the exceptional nature of the gold objects, the vessel was not carrying only possessions associated with Byzantine officials. Its commercial cargo included amphorae, ceramic bowls, jugs and plates, as well as merchant scales and ivory tokens.
The combination of luxury objects and ordinary trade goods may help archaeologists reconstruct both the purpose of the voyage and the identities of those travelling aboard the ship. Analysis of the amphorae and ceramics could reveal where the vessel originated, what products it carried and the ports it visited before sinking.
This year’s investigation is being conducted in collaboration with a team of archaeologists from Stanford University led by Professor Justin Leidwanger. The team is concentrating on the ship’s cargo, particularly its amphorae and ceramic vessels.
The work has also involved divers from the Intervention Command of Croatia’s Police Directorate, Mario Orlandini and the Aquatica Mljet diving centre, which has provided logistical support. The NavArchos company, led by Anton Divić, has participated in the research for several years.
A dangerous passage through the Adriatic
Photo courtesy Croatian Conservation Institute
Mljet lies off the coast of southern Croatia, near one of the principal maritime routes connecting the eastern and western Mediterranean. Ships carrying passengers, soldiers, officials and commercial goods travelled through these waters for centuries.
Researchers believe the Byzantine vessel may have been attempting to reach the sheltered Bay of Polače when it sank. Located on the northern side of Mljet, the bay offered protection from bad weather and was used by ships seeking a safe anchorage.
Polače was also home to a substantial late antique palace complex, underlining the bay’s importance during the centuries when the ship was sailing. Its protected position made it a natural harbour, but the surrounding waters could still be dangerous to vessels caught in storms.
The discovery of the gold belts, coins and imperial ring now provides a rare glimpse into the movement of Byzantine officials and valuable cargo across the early medieval Adriatic. Continued study of the wreck may reveal where the ship began its journey, where it was heading and why members of the Byzantine elite were travelling aboard it when it sank.
A Byzantine shipwreck discovered near the Croatian island of Mljet has yielded an exceptionally rare collection of gold belt fittings, imperial coins and other luxury objects. Archaeologists believe the vessel sank in the late seventh or early eighth century while carrying high-ranking passengers or valuable diplomatic cargo through the Adriatic.
The wreck is one of 20 previously unknown shipwrecks discovered during nearly two decades of underwater archaeological work around Mljet. These sites range in date from the second century BC to the sixteenth century, but researchers describe the Byzantine vessel as one of the most important underwater discoveries from this period in the eastern Adriatic.
The Croatian Conservation Institute’s Department of Underwater Archaeology began investigating the wreck in 2015. Nine research campaigns have since been conducted under the leadership of underwater archaeologists Igor Miholjek, who heads the archaeological investigation, and Pavle Dugonjić, head of the department.
Gold belonging to the Byzantine elite
The most notable discoveries are four gold belt sets, including gold buckles and fittings decorated with emeralds, rubies and pearls. These luxurious objects would have adorned the leather belts of high-ranking Byzantine dignitaries.
According to the Croatian Conservation Institute, comparable objects have not previously been found on the Mediterranean seabed. Their presence suggests that the ship was transporting passengers or possessions connected to the highest levels of Byzantine society.
A gold ring bearing an image of an emperor from the Heraclian dynasty offers further evidence of the status of those aboard. Researchers believe that such a ring could only have belonged to a member of the senior state or military leadership who possessed the authority to seal imperial documents.
The ring may have been the personal property of a high-ranking Byzantine official or a diplomatic gift. In either case, it points to the importance of the ship’s passengers and the cargo they were carrying.
Archaeologists also recovered gold coins issued by four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty. Dating to the end of the seventh century, the coins are helping researchers establish a more precise date for the ship’s final voyage.
The Heraclian dynasty ruled the Byzantine Empire during a period of major political and military change. Beginning with the reign of Emperor Heraclius in 610, its emperors faced wars with the Sasanian Empire, the rapid expansion of the early Islamic caliphates and the transformation of Byzantine power across the Mediterranean.
A ship carrying luxury and commercial cargo
Despite the exceptional nature of the gold objects, the vessel was not carrying only possessions associated with Byzantine officials. Its commercial cargo included amphorae, ceramic bowls, jugs and plates, as well as merchant scales and ivory tokens.
The combination of luxury objects and ordinary trade goods may help archaeologists reconstruct both the purpose of the voyage and the identities of those travelling aboard the ship. Analysis of the amphorae and ceramics could reveal where the vessel originated, what products it carried and the ports it visited before sinking.
This year’s investigation is being conducted in collaboration with a team of archaeologists from Stanford University led by Professor Justin Leidwanger. The team is concentrating on the ship’s cargo, particularly its amphorae and ceramic vessels.
The work has also involved divers from the Intervention Command of Croatia’s Police Directorate, Mario Orlandini and the Aquatica Mljet diving centre, which has provided logistical support. The NavArchos company, led by Anton Divić, has participated in the research for several years.
A dangerous passage through the Adriatic
Mljet lies off the coast of southern Croatia, near one of the principal maritime routes connecting the eastern and western Mediterranean. Ships carrying passengers, soldiers, officials and commercial goods travelled through these waters for centuries.
Researchers believe the Byzantine vessel may have been attempting to reach the sheltered Bay of Polače when it sank. Located on the northern side of Mljet, the bay offered protection from bad weather and was used by ships seeking a safe anchorage.
Polače was also home to a substantial late antique palace complex, underlining the bay’s importance during the centuries when the ship was sailing. Its protected position made it a natural harbour, but the surrounding waters could still be dangerous to vessels caught in storms.
The discovery of the gold belts, coins and imperial ring now provides a rare glimpse into the movement of Byzantine officials and valuable cargo across the early medieval Adriatic. Continued study of the wreck may reveal where the ship began its journey, where it was heading and why members of the Byzantine elite were travelling aboard it when it sank.
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