Workers installing a water pipeline inDubrovnik’s Old Town harbor recently uncovered the remains of an an 18th-century wooden boat, adding to Europe’s vessel-related discoveries this year. The find, made this spring, was located approximately 30 inches beneath the seabed at Dubrovnik’s Old Town harbor, a location historically significant for its medieval architecture and its role as a filming site for the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones.’
The artifact was first discovered by Ivan Bukelic, an undersea builder, who made the unexpected find during his work on the pipeline project. ‘I can now say I discovered a boat in the Old Town Dubrovnik,’ Bukelic was quoted as saying. The boat’s remains are currently being protected for further examination by marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi, who confirmed that it dates back to the late 18th century based on radiocarbon analysis.
Rossi emphasized the importance of preserving the site for future research, noting that the boat’s significance lies in its contribution to understanding historical maritime activities in the region. ‘We must protect it for the future,’ she added. This discovery is part of a growing trend of shipwreck findings across Europe, where dozens of such relics have been uncovered or identified this year.
The latest discovery in Dubrovnik aligns with other recent shipwreck finds, including the unearthing of a centuries-old vessel in a former fish market in Spain and the potential identification of a 18th-century treasure ship lost off the coast of Wexford, Ireland, around 240 years ago. These findings not only highlight the region’s rich maritime history but also offer valuable insights into historical trade routes, cultural exchanges, and the lives of those who navigated the seas centuries ago.
The discovery has also sparked renewed interest in Dubrovnik’s historical significance, particularly its role as a backdrop for ‘Game of Thrones’ and its well-preserved medieval architecture. While the find itself may not have immediate financial implications, it has generated considerable attention from historians and archaeologists interested in further studying the vessel’s origins and purpose.