A Roman anchor was found on the seabed of Palinuro, near Capo Palinuro, a place of great historical and landscape interest located between the Gulf of Velia and the Gulf of Policastro. The important discovery occurred during an activity of control of submerged archaeological assets, conducted by the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Naples and the Underwater Unit of Naples, under the coordination of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Salerno and Avellino.
The identification of the anchor is part of a project for the monitoring and protection of marine sites, started in the early 2000s, known as “Archeomar”. This project, coordinated by the Directorate General of Archaeology of the Ministry of Culture, aims to census the submerged archaeological assets along the coasts of Campania, Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria. Although only some of the mapped sites have been the subject of scientific excavations, no recovery actions are currently planned for the Palinuro anchor, as it is believed to be part of a wreck that would require significant investments for a complete excavation.
The perfectly preserved lead anchor stock is embedded in the sandy seabed at a depth of 52 metres. It is thought that the anchor belonged to a Roman ship that probably sank around 253 BC. During the monitoring operations, detailed photographic documentation and surveys were carried out, also thanks to the use of a ROV (remotely operated vehicle), which allowed us to capture suggestive images of the find in a good state of conservation.
This activity, an example of effective collaboration between the institutions responsible for the protection of cultural heritage, took place a few days after the illegal recovery of an ancient amphora, carried out by a diver in the same waters of Palinuro, an episode widely documented in the media and on social media, now under investigation by the authorities.
“The protection of cultural heritage, carried out in collaboration with the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Naples and the Underwater Unit of Naples and according to the most advanced archaeological research methodologies, allows us to recover valuable historical information on the dynamics of trade, sea routes and relationships in the Mediterranean. This information can be dangerously compromised by 'amateur' or illicit operations carried out by unauthorized individuals”, underlined Superintendent Raffaella Bonaudo.
Article published on 30 July 2024 - 11:37
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