- NAPLES, Italy (Sapa-AP) --
Italian archaeologists have discovered a Roman ship and hundreds of amphorae
dating to the second century AD during excavation works for a new subway
in the southern city of Naples.
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- The discoveries, which were detailed on Thursday, will
help shed light on ancient life in the Mediterranean port city, the archaeologists
said.
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- "They will help us understand the circulation of
goods in Naples and the city's every-day life," said Daniela Giampaola,
an archaeologist in charge of the excavations.
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- The 13-metre deep digging turned up wooden pieces belonging
to piers in the one-time port, as well as intact amphorae and other crockery
pieces, believed to have fallen off the ships while being unloaded.
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- Amphorae are slender, two-handled terracotta storage
containers popular in Roman times to ship or store wine, condiments and
other popular items.
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- Also found by the ship were soles of seafarers' shoes.
Experts said that soles were either lost or tossed away when the shoes
were no longer good.
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- The 10-metre-long vessel sank, probably due to floods,
in the second century, said Giampaola. It is expected to be well preserved,
thanks to the silt that created an airless environment that prevented decomposition.
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- However, it will take months to take it out of the mud.
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- Giampaola said that over the course of the centuries
waves of mud, silt and landslides from surrounding hills have filled up
the basin and created a swamp.
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- The discoveries were the latest to emerge from the excavation
works. Elsewhere in the city, the digging has turned up remnants of a building
also dating to the Roman Empire, which is still being excavated, and a
12th century fountain.
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- City officials are considering setting up a museum near
one of the new subway stations to host the artifacts.
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