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A chance discovery has unearthed a centuries-old shipwreck near the historic city walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Diver and underwater construction worker Ivan Bukelic stumbled upon the wooden structure in April while working on a water pipeline in the city’s old port. The remains lie buried beneath approximately two feet of sediment.
“I can now say I discovered a boat at the Old Town Dubrovnik,” remarked Bukelic.
Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist destination, served as a major Adriatic trading hub during the medieval era.
While the vessel’s exact size and type remain unknown, marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi confirmed that radiocarbon dating places the wreck in the late 18th century. The remains will be preserved in the old port for further investigation.
Radić Rossi, in cooperation with Croatia’s Ministry of Culture, plans to continue researching the wreck, stating, “We must protect it for the future.”