Salvaged the wreck of the oldest hand-sewn boat in the Mediterranean

A hand-stitched boat wreck, approximately 3,000 years old, is about to be salvaged off the coast of Zambratija Bay, Croatia, so that scientists can study it in more detail.

Divers inspect the Zambratija boat off the Mediterranean coast of Croatia. Photo: Philippe Groscaux/Mission Adriboats/CNRS/CCJ

The oldest hand-stitched boat in the Mediterranean Sea, dating from the 12th to the 10th centuries BC, has been named Zambratija, Ancient Origins reported on June 16. The boat, approximately 12 meters long, has 7 meters of its length remarkably well preserved, despite the passage of thousands of years. It is constructed from numerous pieces of wood intricately stitched together with flexible threads.

This boat-building technique was used in many parts of the world before the advent of metal pins. Even after the introduction of metal pins, people continued to use stitching techniques to build small boats for a period of time. Zambratija is a "rare" example of the ancient boat-building tradition of Istria and Dalmatia, two regions on the Croatian coast, according to the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

The Zambratija boat was discovered by a fisherman in 2014. Since then, researchers have considered the possibility of bringing the boat to the surface. Ultimately, the decision was made that a team of divers would salvage parts of the boat from Zambratija Bay on July 2nd.

After recovering the fragments, a team of scientists from the Camille Jullian Centre (CCJ) and the Istria Archaeological Museum will recreate the boat in 3D. Next, they will identify the type of fibers used for stitching and study the techniques used to shape the wood.

"Handling heritage sites of such importance is a delicate task. Therefore, every stage in this process requires the utmost care," CNRS stated.

After the inspections are complete, the unique vessel will undergo a desalination process in Croatia. Next, it is expected to be transported to Grenoble, France, for restoration by the Arc-Nucléart shipyard. Experts hope that, once fully restored, the Zambratija will be displayed in Pula, Istria, in a museum dedicated to maritime heritage.

Thu Thao (According to Ancient Origins )

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