maritime

Thousands of years of maritime traffic have left the seabed around Elba Island scattered with evidence of ships that once carried goods through the Tyrrhenian Sea. Now, underwater archaeological investigations have documented a massive Roman dolium as well as mysterious wooden remains that may belong to a shipwreck from a very different period. Together with previously known Roman wrecks around Elba, the discoveries highlight the island's long importance within Mediterranean maritime trade. Massive Ceramic Vessels Built into Roman Ships The recent discovery of a dolium, wooden structures, and bronze nails initiated research to solve a maritime mystery. Unlike most amphorae, which were moved individually during loading and unloading, the dolium held large amounts of liquid or foodstuffs. On some Roman