Work

Underwater Cultural Heritage and Maritime Archaeology in Croatia: An Overview

Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Archaeological sites in Croatia's shallow waters are mentioned in written sources from the sixteenth century, and since the eighteenth century they have been used as evidence for the sinking of the Eastern Adriatic coast. It was at the end of the same century that the first Roman shipwreck in Croatian waters was reported. Sponge divers and coral hunters raised archaeological finds from the seabed off the Croatian coast, thus contributing to the creation of many private and monastic collections. Isolated campaigns aimed at protecting underwater cultural heritage began in the 1950s, and by 1970 these efforts became part of a well-organized system. Although the lack of systematic research remains notable, a number of surveys and rescue excavations have enriched our knowledge of ancient seafaring along the Croatian coast and have contributed to the study of the maritime environment. Some well-preserved shipwrecks from classical antiquity and the modern era show excellent potential for thein situprotection and presentation of Croatian underwater cultural heritage.
Institution: University of Zadar
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2010010641
FWCI:
Cites: 22
Cited by: 7
Related to: 10