600g of gold found in 1,300-year-old Byzantine shipwreck off Croatia
Archaeologists have discovered a significant Byzantine-era shipwreck off the coast of Croatia containing over 40 gold objects, including a signet ring and jewelry. The find is considered the most important of its period in the Mediterranean, offering new insights into Byzantine trade and history.
Why it matters
This discovery provides rare physical evidence of Byzantine imperial wealth and trade networks during the 'Dark Ages'.
A shipwreck beneath the Mediterranean has recently revealed more gold than any other in the region to date. The vessel sank in the Adriatic Sea in the seventh or eighth century C.E. and its cargo included a gold signet ring likely associated with an emperor along with a gold belt encrusted with gems.More than 40 gold objects were found along with other luxurious imperial objects. The finds were located in the waters off the coast of Mljet, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, which is home to more than two dozen sunken ships spanning nearly 2,500 years.
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