Archaeologists in Serbia are carefully removing sand and soil from the ancient woodwork of a Roman ship, unearthed by miners in a vast opencast coal quarry.

The discovery occurred when an excavator at the Drmno mine uncovered some timber, prompting experts from the nearby former Roman settlement of Viminacium to rush to preserve the ship’s skeleton.

This marks the second such finding in the region since 2020, the Jerusalem Post has reported.

The ship is believed to have been a part of the river fleet that served the extensive and highly-developed Roman city, which boasted a population of 45,000 people.

The city of Viminacium featured a range of impressive structures, including a hippodrome, fortifications, a forum, a palace, temples, an amphitheater, aqueducts, baths, and workshops.

As archaeologists continue their meticulous work, the vessel’s secrets from the past are being carefully unveiled, offering valuable insights into the ancient Roman maritime history of the region.

Written by staff