A remarkable 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Croatia has revealed an unprecedented story of ancient maritime maintenance. The Ilovik-Paržine 1 wreck, which sank during the Roman Republic era, has provided archaeologists with the first detailed evidence of how ancient shipbuilders kept their vessels seaworthy during long voyages across the Mediterranean. Through innovative molecular and pollen analysis, researchers have uncovered a complex history of repairs that rewrites our understanding of ancient naval technology.
The wreck was initially discovered in 2016, resting just four meters below the surface of the Adriatic Sea near the island of Ilovik. The merchant vessel, dating to the mid-second century BC, was carrying a cargo of timber logs and amphorae when it met its end. While the physical timbers of the ship have been studied extensively, a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Materials focused on something far more elusive: the organic waterproofing materials used to seal the hull.
"In archaeology little attention is paid to organic waterproofing materials. Yet they are essential for navigation at sea or on rivers and are true witnesses of past naval technologies," explained Dr. Armelle Charrié, an archaeometrist at the University of Strasbourg and lead author of the study, in a report in Frontiers.
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Map showing the location of the wreck Ilovik-Paržine 1 and the places mentioned (Basemap: V. Dumas, CNRS/CCJ/Frontiers).
The Ancient Art of Waterproofing
To keep wooden ships afloat, ancient mariners relied on thick coatings to prevent water ingress and protect against marine borers. The research team, a collaboration between French and Croatian institutions, analyzed ten samples of the protective coating from the Ilovik-Paržine 1 wreck. Their molecular analysis revealed that the primary waterproofing agent was pitch, a sticky substance derived from heated conifer resin, explains the study.
However, one sample yielded a surprising discovery. It contained a mixture of pine tar and beeswax, a specific concoction known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as zopissa. This blend, famously described by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, provided greater flexibility and was easier to apply when heated. The presence of zopissa on this vessel demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of materials and the sharing of shipbuilding knowledge across the ancient Mediterranean basin.
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Tracing the Ship's Journey Through Pollen
Because pitch is incredibly sticky, it acts as a trap for microscopic particles in the environment when it is applied. The researchers capitalized on this characteristic by conducting a detailed pollen analysis of the coating samples. The results were astounding, revealing a diverse array of plant species that pointed to multiple geographical locations.
The pollen assemblages included Mediterranean coastal vegetation such as holly oak and olive trees, wetland species like alder and ash, and even mountainous flora like fir and beech. This vast botanical diversity indicated that the ship's waterproof coating was not applied all at once in a single location. Instead, the analysis proved that the vessel underwent four to five distinct repair batches over its lifetime.
Previous analysis of the ship's ballast stones had suggested the vessel was originally constructed near Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi) in southern Italy. The new pollen data corroborated this, showing that some coatings were applied in that region. However, other layers contained pollen typical of the northeastern Adriatic coast, near where the ship eventually sank.
Orthophoto of the stern area of the Ilovik-Paržine 1 wreck, at the end of 2021 excavation campaign. ((Image Courtesy of (V. Dumas, L. Damelet, CNRS/CCJ, Adriboats; P. Dugonjić, HRZ))
A New Perspective on Ancient Navigation
The findings from the Ilovik-Paržine 1 wreck offer a rare glimpse into the practical realities of Roman trade and maritime logistics. While it is logical that ships sailing long distances would require regular maintenance, proving this archaeologically has been incredibly difficult. Most Roman shipwrecks yield information about their final voyage, but this unique study has successfully reconstructed the vessel's operational history.
"These coatings bear witness to the ship's life over time and to its movements on the sea," Dr. Charrié noted. "It highlights common patterns and regional specificities, notably in relation to the availability of natural resources. Finally, this research also demonstrates the evolution of practices and the transfer of technologies over time".
By combining molecular chemistry with palynology, this pioneering underwater archaeology approach has opened a new window into the past, proving that ancient Roman ships were built and maintained to survive the punishing conditions of the open sea.
Top image: View of the excavation of the bow area of the Ilovik-Paržine 1 shipwreck, showing the cargo of logs and amphorae. Source: Adriboats © L. Damelet, CNRS/CCJ / Frontiers
By Gary Manners
References
Charrié-Duhaut, A., Couillebault, Q., Miholjek, I., and Boetto, G. 2026. Adhesive coatings in naval archaeology: molecular and palynological investigations on materials from the Roman Republican wreck Ilovik–Paržine 1 (Croatia). Frontiers in Materials. Frontiers Media SA. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2026.1758862/full
Frontiers. 2026. Roman shipwreck reveals fascinating history of repairs throughout the Adriatic 2,200 years ago. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2026/04/24/roman-shipwreck-repairs-throughout-adriatic
Scott, A. 2026. 2,200-Year-Old Ancient Roman Shipwreck Uncovers Hidden Repairs Across the Adriatic. Discover Magazine. Available at: https://www.discovermagazine.com/2-200-year-old-ancient-roman-shipwreck-uncovers-hidden-repairs-across-the-adriatic-49015
Starr, M. 2026. Roman-Era Wreck Reveals How Ships Were Built to Last 2,000 Years Ago. ScienceAlert. Available at: https://www.sciencealert.com/roman-era-wreck-reveals-how-ships-were-built-to-last-2000-years-ago
