Roman-Era Wreck Reveals How Ships Were Built to Last 2,000 Years Ago

A 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck off Croatia shows hulls were repeatedly waterproofed with pitch coatings.

Researchers found both pine tar and a pine tar–beeswax mix on the Ilovik-Paržine 1, indicating layered maintenance.

Pollen trapped in the residue suggests the ship was repaired and recoated at different ports during its service life.

The study shows Roman wooden ships were maintained far more skillfully and regionally than previously thought.