Aurora Trust | Pontine Island, Italy, Ocean Exploration 2010

The survey of Zannone is a continuation and extension of our Pontine Island Project carried out together with our local partner: the Superintendence of Lazio acting on behalf of Italy’s Ministry of Culture. The first phase of the 2010 project was to survey the seabed up to the 150 meter contour off Zannone. The systematic and comprehensive survey would facilitate the discovery of shipwrecks within this area as well as the creation of a geo-referenced map of potential targets within the study area. Phase two consisted of the visual verification and recording (photography and video) of anomalies detected during the abovementioned survey.

Project Operations
In order to achieve the abovementioned aims, the Trust deployed its Klein System 3900 side scan sonar which was deployed from the MV ISIS. The fish was towed along a series of predetermined lines which were laid out in a triangular form around the island. This ensured the methodical coverage of the remaining area earmarked for survey.

Finds
Following the completion of the survey, amongst the numerous anomalies identified in the area, four major targets were highlighted for further investigation in the limited time available for phase two.

Phase 2: ROV
The ROV was deployed to verify the four targets highlighted as ‘high priority’. All four targets turned out to be shipwrecks, three dating back to various phases of the Roman period and one which has yet to be dated:

Site 1: A well-preserved shipwreck measuring just over 10 meters in length. The cargo was of Late Roman (circa 5th-7th century AD) amphorae probably from South Italy, Sicily or North Africa. The contents of these amphorae was probably wine. Further details of this rare find should emerge from in-depth studies that will be carried out in due course.

Site 2: Shipwreck with a cargo of Keay XXV amphorae originating from present-day Tunisia and datable to the 5th century AD. These amphorae would have been carrying garum, a fish sauce that was widely used in Roman cuisine. This site is very well preserved and the majority of amphorae are still stowed in their original position. It measures approximately 12 meters long by just under four meters wide.

Site 3: Shipwreck with a cargo of mixed amphorae including varieties from different parts of the Italian peninsula. This site is very well preserved and many of the amphorae still stowed in their original position. The amphorae are datable to circa 1st century AD. The mixed cargo probably consisted of wine, olive oil and fruits. A secondary cargo is more than likely to be present within the main deposit of amphorae.

Site 4: A well preserved and large shipwreck measuring approximately 18 meters long and five wide. The visible remains consist of building bricks. The exact material of these bricks and their date are as yet unknown and further studies are needed to ascertain the nature of the material, origin of the cargo and whether any other cargo was being carried.