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Ancient Ship Hull Secrets Revealed by Tar Analysis
21 Aug
Summary
- Roman shipwreck found with 2,200-year-old pine tar and beeswax coatings.
- Pollen analysis reveals vegetation around ship's construction and repair sites.
- Ship underwent four to five repair batches using materials from varied locations.
Researchers have uncovered details about ancient naval technology by examining the waterproofing materials on a Roman Republic shipwreck, the Ilovik-Paržine 1, which sank approximately 2,200 years ago. The study, published in Frontiers in Materials, focused on the organic coatings that protected the vessel.
Analysis of samples revealed two types of coatings: one made of pine tar (pitch) and another combining pine tar with beeswax. This beeswax and tar mixture, known as zopissa, was likely used to enhance flexibility and ease of application.
Pollen preserved within the sticky pitch offered a unique window into the past. The recovered pollen indicated vegetation from diverse environments, including Mediterranean coastlines, riverbanks, and mountainous terrains. This suggests the ship may have been constructed or repaired in multiple locations.
Evidence indicates the ship received between four to five separate batches of coating over its operational life. While earlier research suggested the ship was built near Brindisi, Italy, the new pollen data points to potential repairs along the north-eastern Adriatic coast, near where the wreck was discovered.
