Following the discovery in October of submerged remains near the Blue Grotto in Capri, the Superintendency for the Metropolitan Area of Naples has recovered the first of a series of worked obsidian cores.
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The finds, already reported but without a specific location, were found just outside the Grotta Bianca. Their presence confirms the frequentation of the island of Capri, in particular, but also of the ancient Mediterranean in general, in prehistoric times.
The subsequent recovery operations, already planned, will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of this important archaeological site.
Superintendent Mariano Nuzzo, together with the archaeological officer responsible for protection, Luca di Franco, and the underwater archaeology referents, Simona Formola and the technical assistant Carlo Leggieri, coordinated the recovery operations.
The finds were found over a much larger area than previously thought, at a depth of between 30 and over 40 meters. Among them, an obsidian core stands out, measuring approximately 28 x 20 cm, 15 cm high and weighing almost 8 kg.
The core, which shows clearly visible traces of chiselling and working on its surface, has been placed in the Superintendency's deposits awaiting cleaning of marine concretions and restoration.
Superintendent Nuzzo underlined the importance of these discoveries: “The realization of an extensive instrumental survey of the seabed, to verify the possible presence of the hull or other cargo material, is fundamental to orient the direct excavation. The collaboration with the Police divers has proved fundamental, thanks to their great expertise in managing situations of a certain complexity”.
Hypotheses on the nature of the finds
There are various hypotheses about the nature of the finds. One possibility is that they are the remains of a ship that sank in the Neolithic era. Another hypothesis is that they are a deposit of obsidian, a precious stone widely used in ancient times. Only further investigations will be able to clarify the nature of these important finds.
Article published on November 21, 2023 - 08:57
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