The stunning discovery that’s almost 2000 years old will soon be open to the public
Mljet island is widely known for its National Park filled with stunning natural sights, but its waters also keep a few surprises tucked away at the seabed.
Three years ago, archaeologists discovered one of the largest underwater sites housing amphoras that are 2000 years old, reported HRT on September 6, 2017.
The amphoras were found at a depth of 20 metres. The experts stated they were surprised by such a discovery; they continued to work on the site for the next three years, only now presenting it to the public.
The underwater site is well-preserved. There are 150 amphoras of three different types, all of them originating from the 1st century, said Igor Miholjek, head of the Underwater Archaeology Department at the Croatian Conservation Institute. The amphoras owe their good condition to sand; covered in silt, they remained unspoilt for almost two millenia.
The research project was co-financed by the National Park Mljet, as the park’s management wanted to protect the priceless heritage both from getting stolen and getting accidentally destroyed. The area has ben seeing a growing number of large yachts recently, and those usually entail large anchors as well.
Most amphoras will be left on site, covered in protective nets and available for the public to see. The diving team and the scientists will continue exploring the area, as the waters of Mljet might still be hiding a secret or two.
You can see the amphoras in the video here.
