A Roman shipwreck in the ancient port of Antibes

A team of archaeologists from Inrap have uncovered a Roman shipwreck in southern France, in what was once part of the bustling ancient port of Antibes.

The construction of an underground car park has enabled archaeologists to investigate the development area.© Rémi Bénali, Inrap

Ancient Antipolis

Antibes was known as Antipolis, a Greek colony originally founded by the Phoenicians of Massalia. The date of its origin is uncertain, but situated on the coast of Provence, Antipolis occupied a privileged position on the sea routes linking Marseilles to the Italian coast and contained a natural harbour – Anse Saint-Roch – which protected shipping from prevailing winds.

The harbour

The archaeologists have been exploring the ancient harbour basin that had progressively silted up in antiquity. The basin contains a wealth of objects and information from the third century BC to the sixth century AD. Tens of thousands of objects have already been excavated from the bay of Saint-Roch, including goods from the Mediterranean basin, illustrating the vitality of the ancient port and trade in this part of the world.
Excavated sediments were below sea level. These conditions favour the preservation of organic materials and helped to uncover objects that would be missing from dry land excavations, such as cork stoppers for amphorae, shoe soles, leather and wooden components.

The bottom of the ancient harbour basin, which has gradually silted up, revealed tens of thousands of objects that fall in stratigraphic layers dated between the third century BC and the sixth century AD.© Rémi Bénali, Inrap

The wreck

In the final area explored by the archaeologists, the wreck of a Roman ship was discovered. Preserved for more than 15 m long, the boat is lying on its side in shallow water (less than 1.60 m below antique sea level). In cooperation with the Camille Jullian Centre, Inrap has commissioned a specialist in naval archaeology to carry out the analysis and interpretation of this important find.

The wreck is a trading sailboat from the Imperial era but there was no trace of a cargo. © Rémi Bénali, Inrap

The remains consist of a keel and several strakes (longitudinal hull planks), joined together by thousands of wooden pegs. Transversely, about forty ribs are present, some of which are joined to the keel by metal pins.
Elements from the hold floor were also identified but the cabin which would have housed the base of the mast has not been preserved. This wreck is the size of a trading sail boat (length 20/22 m and width of 6/7 m). The wood used in construction is mainly of conifer. The hull is reinforced by lead plating held in place by small nails which serve to remedy the deficiencies of a medium quality but plentiful wood. Toolmarks are also clearly visible (saw, adze) as is the pitch which was used to protect the hull.
The architectural features confirm the dating suggested by the stratigraphy and ceramics collected in the levels formed after the abandonment of the boat – the second to third centuries AD – one of the Imperial Roman ships of the western Mediterranean.
The reason for the sinking is unknown at present. It is possible that the ship was cast ashore in a storm or abandoned to rot in this corner of the harbour, or even purposely sunk to serve as the base for a dock? These last two hypotheses could explain the absence of a cargo. Further investigations will hopefully solve the present mystery.

 http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/08/2012/a-roman-shipwreck-in-the-ancient-port-of-antibes