The excavation of a large Roman freighter in the port of Alexandria revealed a rich collection of rigging fittings. Alexander Belov presents the interesting research results.
During excavations inside the port of the royal island of Antirhodos in the Portus Magnus of Alexandria, the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) discovered a large freighter with a reconstructed length of 30-35m. The vessel dates to the period between the 1st and early 3rd century AD and belongs to the Roman Imperial constructional type. The hull shows traces of severe damage, possibly in connection with one of the tsunamis that frequently ravaged the Alexandrian coast. The excavation revealed a substantial amount of rigging material, including 12 deadeyes, 3 blocks with numerous seperate sheaves, 6 toggles of different size and three marlin spikes. Of particular interest is the powerful eight-fold purchase block that was probably used for the halyard or for cargo handling.
This lecture by Alexander Belov of the IEASM was recorded as part of the 2025 conference "Alexandria and the Sea II" held by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology at Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford.
For more information about the research projects of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), directed by Franck Goddio:
https://www.ieasm.org/
https://www.franckgoddio.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/institut-europeen-d-archeologie-sous-marine
https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio
For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/
For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/
