Scientists undertaking a molecular analysis of a Roman shipwreck have uncovered the complex mix of materials that was used to waterproof boats over 2,000 years ago.
Discovered in 2016 off the coast of Croatia, the Ilovik-Paržine 1 shipwreck was thought to be a trade ship that was transporting wine and timber around the Mediterranean.
While the boat’s cargo has been studied before, a new analysis published in Frontiers in Materials is the first to explore the vessel’s unique combination of coatings that were applied to its hull. A team from the Croatian Conservation Institute, Aix-Marseille University and others analysed the pollen and molecular structure to better understand its production and application on the hull.
“In archaeology little attention is paid to organic waterproofing materials. Yet they are essential for navigation at sea or on rivers and are true witnesses of past naval technologies,” said first author Dr Armelle Charrié. “Studying the coatings, we found two different kinds...