TIRANA, Albania — A U.S.-Albanian archaeological mission said Monday it has found the well-preserved wreck of a Roman cargo ship off Albania’s coast, complete with some 300 wine jars – all empty, alas.

The 30-yard-long wreck dates to the 1st century B.C. and its cargo is believed to have been the produce of southern Albanian vineyards en route to western European markets, including France.

A statement from the Key West, Fla.-based RPM Nautical Foundation said the find was made 50 yards deep near the port city of Vlora early this month.

The foundation, in cooperation with Albanian archaeologists, has been surveying Albania’s previously unexplored coastal waters for the past five years. So far, experts have located 20 shipwrecks – including several relatively modern ones.

“Taking into consideration the date and also the depth – which is well suited for excavation – I would include it among the top 10 most scientifically interesting wrecks found in the Mediterranean,” said Albanian archaeologist Adrian Anastasi, who participated in the project.

Officials said most of the jars were unbroken despite the shipwreck. However, the stoppers used to seal them had gone, allowing their contents to leak out.

 


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