Shipwreck at the Sveti Pavao shallows — fourth campaign

Systematic archaeological exploration of a shipwrecked merchant vessel in the Sveti Pavao shallows was launched in 2007 and has been ongoing to this day. The ship’s structure and equipment, a large iron anchor and eight bronze artillery pieces have been located at the site. Stone and iron cannonballs were also located, as were numerous potsherds and a few intact specimens of pottery, parts of glassware, one bronze bucket, part of a bronze candleholder and other small finds including Turkish silver coins — akche. Prominent among the potsherds are parts of dishware manufactured in northern Italy and oriental pottery, including luxurious, richly decorated Iznik ware.

Joining the research team of the Croatian Conservation Institute's Department of Underwater Archaeology in this fourth campaign were fellow archaeologists from the Ca´Foscari University in Venice (Universita Ca´ Foscari Venezia, Dipartimento di Scienze dell´ Antichita e del Vicino Oriente). Led by Carlo Beltame DSc, the Italian team documented the remains of the ship's construction during this campaign, while the Croatian team continued its archaeological excavations on the section of the shipwreck concealing the cargo. The most significant find of this year's campaign is a bronze ship's bell with a clearly visible relief inscription of the year 1567. This is very likely the year in which the ship was first launched. Silver coins of European origin were also found, which should, after cleaning and restoration, narrow down the period of the unfortunates ship's end.

Igor Miholjek