Archaeologists have discovered a wooden shipwreck along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran, Iran. A collaborative project involving Italy’s International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies and Tehran’s Underwater Archaeology Faculty discovered the Russian shipwreck, which they believe dates back to the late 18th or early 19th century.
The ship was revealed after shifting water levels in the Caspian Sea eroded part of a three-meter sand dune where it had been buried for centuries.
The vessel, measuring 28 meters in length, might be a three-masted trading ship. It likely operated along the Caspian’s vital trade routes, which have connected the bordering nations for centuries.
Protective sandbags allow safe excavation
Researchers built a sandbag barrier to excavate the site safely, protecting it from wave erosion. They meticulously documented 43 layers of sediment around the wreck, which helped detail how it had been buried over time.
They uncovered sections of the hull, masts, and remnants of the ship’s cargo over two seasons of excavation. The overall work offers valuable clues about the ship’s construction and origin.
بضائع عمرها مئات السنين : اكتشاف سفينة روسية غارقة في إيران. pic.twitter.com/y8jsgakeHy
— كانہ הוא היה (@88_kann) January 1, 2025
Radiocarbon dating of the ship’s pine wood suggests construction dates between 1762 and 1808. Repairs using spruce or larch wood occur in later years.
Analysis of the vessel’s construction points to methods consistent with Russian shipbuilding practices of the 18th century, further indicating the ship may have originated in the Volga basin region or the Caucasus.
A poplar wood tool was also found in the wreckage. The tool’s discovery supports the theory that materials used to build the ship were sourced from nearby regions.
Buckwheat cargo reveals agricultural practices
The ship’s cargo included a significant amount of buckwheat, identified through archaeobotanical analysis. Three wicker baskets containing well-preserved triangular buckwheat seeds were found in the ship’s lowest compartment.
The seeds likely came from cultivation areas near the Volga River basin or the Caucasus. Associated weeds, such as lambs quarters, and pennycress, provided additional evidence of regional agricultural practices during the ship’s operational period.
The findings, published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, provide new insights into maritime trade and agricultural practices in the Caspian region. Researchers suggest the ship played a role in transporting agricultural goods along key trade routes. This will contribute to a broader understanding of economic and cultural exchanges in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This discovery highlights the rich history buried beneath the Caspian Sea’s shifting waters. As the tides continue to uncover new artifacts, archaeologists hope to learn more about the region’s role in global maritime history.