Divers in Naples, Italy, recently discovered chunks of obsidian in the remains of an ancient shipwreck near the island of Capri. This ship is believed to date back to the Neolithic period, also known as the Neolithic period.
This natural glass is about the size of a giant book and weighs approximately 17.6 pounds (8 kg). There are marks carved by someone on the surface. Archaeologists believe it was an obsidian “core”, a tool used to make flakes for sharp edges.
On Monday (November 20), divers from the Naples Police Underwater Unit pulled out the remains. They say they found it on the ocean floor, about 100 to 130 feet (30 to 40 meters) below the surface. Italian Ministry of Culture.
The dive took place near the famous Blue Grotto on the island of Capri. The Blue Grotto is a sea cave where Roman Emperor Tiberius took his personal baths. Tiberius had a palace on the island. Today, this cave is a tourist attraction that can be reached by boat.
However, Live Science reports that swimming there is prohibited because the waves and tides make it too dangerous.
First artefacts recovered from Neolithic shipwreck
A police diving team discovered the underwater scene in October. The exact location has not been disclosed to prevent looting, the statement said.
The obsidian core is the first item recovered from the wreckage, but experts believe there may be more. Archaeologists believe this natural glass was part of a ship’s cargo during the Neolithic era, more than 5,000 years ago.
However, LiveScience reported that it is unlikely that the actual ship will ever be found, as wood from that time typically did not last long and would rot.
Archaeologists discovered that #Neolithic A shipwreck carrying a core of processed obsidian off the coast of Capri in the Bay of Naples (#Italy). The original statement in Italian is: https://t.co/kvy7ybSPOq Click here for news in English: https://t.co/ATjtxgka0t pic.twitter.com/DoRLfJyU5s
— European Association of Archaeologists (@archaeologyEAA) November 23, 2023
Archaeologists working on the project praised the skills of the police divers. They noted that the site is deep underwater, making archaeological work and recovery difficult. The artifact is currently stored in Naples and will soon be cleaned, inspected and preserved, the statement said.
Use of obsidian cores in ancient times
Obsidian is a dense black glass formed from cooled lava. It was used in ancient times to make cutting and drilling tools because its sharp blade breaks it into pieces.
It is not yet known where this obsidian came from, but Live Science reports that there are deposits of this obsidian on several volcanic islands in the Mediterranean, including Palmarola near Naples and Lipari near Sicily.
Sean Kingsley is a marine archaeologist and Wreckwatch Magazine, suggesting that obsidian may have been for trade. Alternatively, it may have been used to make ritual objects similar to those found in the Neolithic caves of Ferci on the island of Capri.