A historic shipwreck, long hidden beneath a sand dune, has been uncovered along the southern Caspian Sea coast in Mazandaran, Iran.
The ship, believed to be a three-masted vessel with a double hull, measures approximately 92 feet in length and 26 feet in width. Although degraded by time and human activity, its emergence near the shoreline was attributed to rising sea levels, which eroded the sand covering it.
“Its emergence near the shoreline in an unexpected coastal location was attributed to wave action, resulting from rising sea levels, which eroded part of the sand covering the submerged ship,” the authors wrote.
The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, spans five countries—Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Over centuries, its water levels have fluctuated significantly due to climatic shifts, drastically altering the coastlines. Such changes have periodically revealed relics of the past, including cultural artifacts and historic shipwrecks, particularly along the Iranian shores.
An enigmatic vessel
This specific shipwreck came to light in the autumn of 2003 when wave action unearthed it near the village of Zaghemarz. The wreck had been buried under roughly 10 feet of sand before its discovery. Archaeologists, concerned that exposing the vessel might subject it to further wave damage, erected a protective barrier of sand-filled bags parallel to its hull before commencing excavation.
The excavation, carried out over two seasons, enabled researchers to document the ship’s design and hypothesize its origins. Through analysis of its construction and historical records, they concluded the vessel was built between the late 18th century and the mid-19th century.
“The carbon-14 (14C) accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates obtained from wood samples and short-lived finds were used to model the ship’s construction and wrecking dates. The radiocarbon dating and the available historical records suggest that the ship was constructed between the late eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century and later repaired on multiple occasions,” says the study.
However, the exact purpose of the ship remains unclear.
A glimpse into the past
The near-empty cargo of the ship was unexpected and “disappointing,” the researchers noted. Items recovered included animal bones, fragments of wood and rope, and three baskets containing plant material, possibly provisions for the crew. A potential tool carved out of poplar wood was also discovered.
These findings left researchers with more questions than answers regarding the ship’s function and the nature of its final voyage.
Despite the scant remains of its cargo, the shipwreck offers invaluable insights into historic shipbuilding practices. Its double-hull design and dimensions highlight the advanced maritime engineering of the time. Moreover, the conditions leading to its sinking or beaching remain speculative, adding an air of mystery to the vessel’s story.
The discovery of such artifacts underscores the significance of the Caspian Sea as a historical and cultural crossroads. Periodic fluctuations in sea levels have not only shaped the geography of the region but have also brought to light remnants of its rich maritime past.
The details of the ship and its excavation are chronicled in a study published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology.
