Ancient Roman Shipwreck Analysis Reveals Complex Maritime Repair Networks Across the Adriatic Sea

Researchers use pollen and tar analysis on a 2,200-year-old Roman wreck to uncover a complex history of ship repairs across the Adriatic Mediterranean ports.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 6:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Submerged Laboratory of Ancient Naval Maintenance

The discovery of the Ilovik–Paržine 1 shipwreck off the Croatian coast has provided an unprecedented window into the sophisticated waterproofing techniques employed by Roman Republic shipbuilders. While underwater archaeology frequently focuses on the heavy timber of hulls or the valuable cargo within, a collaborative study between the Croatian Conservation Institute and Aix-Marseille University shifted the lens toward the organic coatings that kept these vessels afloat. By examining the chemical "fingerprints" of the resins used, researchers have identified a deliberate use of pine tar and a specialized mixture known as zopissa, which combined tar with beeswax to create a flexible, resilient barrier against the corrosive effects of saltwater and marine wood-boring organisms.

Pollen Grains as Chronological and Geographic Markers

The breakthrough of this investigation lies in the analysis of microscopic pollen trapped within the sticky adhesive layers of the ship's hull. Because pitch is naturally adhesive, it acted as a chronological trap, capturing the floral signatures of the specific regions where the coatings were manufactured or applied. According to Dr. Armelle Charrié, an archaeometrist at the Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry of Interactions and Systems, these organic materials serve as essential witnesses to ancient naval technologies that have long been overlooked in traditional wood-centric studies. The presence of diverse plant taxa within the samples suggests that the waterproofing was not a one-time application but a cumulative process reflecting the vessel's operational history.

Mapping a Life Spent Navigating the Adriatic

Through the use of mass spectrometry, the research team identified a vast array of environmental signatures within the hull's protective layers, ranging from holly oak and pine to olive and hazel trees. The diverse concentrations of pollen indicate that the ship likely originated in the southeastern region of Italy, specifically near modern-day Brindisi, before traversing the Adriatic. Traces of alder, ash, and mountain-dwelling beech and fir point to subsequent maintenance stops along the northeastern coastal regions, where the mountains of Istria and Dalmatia meet the sea. This geographic diversity confirms that the vessel was a workhorse of the Mediterranean, stopping...