Sand from the sealed Middle Byzantine amphorae of cape Stoba shipwreck

Scientific paper - Abstract

• Author: Manuela Jaklić
• Author: Vesna Zmaić Kralj
• Author: Marta Mileusnić https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3776-3661; MBZ: 230876
• Editor: Ina Miloglav
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; (Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Resources)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Geology

Abstract (english)

The remains of cape Stoba shipwreck lies on the seabed near Mljet island at the depth between 21 and 28 m. The wreck-site is evidenced by a cargo of amphorae and glass dated
back to the 10th-11th century AD. Five amphoras, located in the cargo part of the ship, as
well as the small ceramic vessel which had to be placed in the ship’s kitchen, were found filled
with sand and closed with a wooden stopper and resin. The aim of this study is a characterization of the sand which could help in the determination of its purpose. Sand samples from amphorae and vessel, as well as from the sea bottom, were investigated.
Mineralogical content was determined using X-ray diffraction and grain size distribution by wet
sieving. From fine sand magnetic fraction is separated. All granulometric and magnetic fractions were examined by binocular magnifier. All sand samples are marine sediment of carbonate composition. Sand grains are mainly skeletons of the Mollusca, Corals, Foraminifera,
Sponges and Echinoderms.
This investigation has neglected the archaeological assumption that sand was used as a raw
material for glass manufacture. One of the assumptions is that sand could serve as dishwash
as it was found in a small ceramic vessel inside the kitchen as well. But, the composition of
sand is not suitable for this purpose. It is not possible that sand from the sea bottom entered
in amphorae through a small hole at the center of the cap as the coarser grain size were found.
Additionally, the depth at which the amphorae were found is below the base of the waves, and
the sea currents in this area are not strong enough to produce a significant suspension of seabed material. This sand could serve as a ballast, although archaeologists have not encountered
such a case so far.

• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Abstract
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: No peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Publication title: 7th International Scientific Conference Methodology & Archaeometry, Zagreb, 2nd - 3rd December 2019
• Numbering: pp. 35-36
• ISBN: 978-953-175-830-7 (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb)
• ISBN: 978-953-6335-17-6 (Croatian Archaeological Society)
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:169:624981
• Publication: 2019
• Conference: Title: 7th International Scientific Conference Methodology and Archaeometry; Acronym: MetArh; Location: Zagreb, Croatia; Organizer: Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb; Organizer: Croatian Archaeological Society; Start date: 2019-12-02; End date: 2019-12-03; Assembly type: Lecture
• Document URL: http://www.ffzg.unizg.hr/metarh/download/BookofAbstracts2019.pdf
• Type of resource: Text
• Publisher: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb
• Publisher: Croatian Archaeological Society
• Publishing place: Zagreb
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2019-12-09 09:50:59