Archaeologists in Serbia are abuzz with excitement as they meticulously unveil the remnants of an ancient Roman ship unearthed by miners within a sprawling opencast coal quarry. The remarkable discovery was made at the Drmno mine when an excavator exposed fragments of timber, prompting a swift response from experts affiliated with the nearby former Roman settlement of Viminacium. This marks the second significant nautical find in the region since 2020.
The Roman ship, believed to have been part of a river fleet that served the thriving and sophisticated Roman city of Viminacium, is now being delicately excavated and preserved by a team of dedicated archaeologists. Viminacium, once a bustling metropolis with a populace of around 45,000 inhabitants, boasted a plethora of structures, including a hippodrome, fortifications, a forum, a palace, temples, an amphitheatre, aqueducts, baths, and workshops.
Miomir Korac, the lead archaeologist overseeing the project, postulates that the vessel's origins likely trace back to the 3rd or 4th century AD, a period during which Viminacium held sway as the capital of the Roman province of Moesia Superior. Situated near a tributary of the mighty Danube River, Viminacium's strategic location hints at the ship's potential role in trade and transport.
"We may assume that this ship is Roman, but we are unsure of its exact age," Korac commented.
In a bid to protect the ship's fragile wood from decay under the scorching summer sun, the archaeologists have meticulously dampened the wood and shielded it beneath protective tarpaulins.
Archaeological analysis suggests that the previously discovered ships and canoes in the region either met their watery demise or were deliberately left adrift along the riverbank. The latest find is expected to join an extensive collection of artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Viminacium, with plans to showcase these treasures near the town of Kostolac, approximately 70 km east of Belgrade.
Mladen Jovicic, a vital member of the team entrusted with the newly-discovered ship, revealed the challenges ahead, especially in moving the 13-meter hull without causing irreparable damage.
"Our engineer friends ... will prepare a special structure that will be lifted by a crane, and ... the entire process of gradual conservation will follow," Jovicic explained, outlining the careful steps that lie ahead in this complex endeavor.
Viminacium has been the focus of extensive archaeological efforts since 1882, yet researchers estimate that only a mere 5% of the sprawling 450-hectare site has been thoroughly explored. Notably absent from the site's surroundings is the encroachment of a modern city, a rarity among ancient settlements of such significance.
The ongoing excavations have yielded an extraordinary array of artifacts, ranging from opulent golden tiles and intricate jade sculptures to vivid mosaics, frescoes, weaponry, and even the remains of three mammoths, providing a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Viminacium's past.
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