Ancient Obsidian Artifact Recovered from Neolithic Shipwreck near Capri’s ‘Blue Grotto’
Divers Retrieve Chiseled Obsidian Block Dating Back Over 5,000 Years
Off the shores of Naples, Italy, divers have successfully salvaged a significant piece of chiseled obsidian believed to have been part of a Neolithic-era shipwreck near the picturesque island of Capri.
The recovered natural glass block, roughly the size of a large book and weighing nearly 17.6 pounds (8 kilograms), bears visible signs of ancient chiseling on its surface. Archaeologists suspect it served as an obsidian “core,” a tool used to fashion sharp-edged flakes for cutting purposes.
Members of the Naples Police underwater unit made the discovery on the seafloor at a depth ranging between 100 and 130 feet (30 and 40 meters) during a dive on Monday (Nov. 20), as reported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture.
The dive location, concealed to safeguard against looting, is in proximity to Capri’s famed Blue Grotto—a historically significant sea cave once frequented by the Roman emperor Tiberius for private bathing. Although the cave is now a popular tourist destination accessible by boat, swimming is prohibited due to safety concerns posed by waves and tides.
The police diving team identified the underwater site earlier this year, announcing its existence in October. The obsidian core, the first artifact recovered from the site, is expected to be accompanied by additional findings in the same area.
Archaeologists speculate that the obsidian, a dense black glass formed from cooled lava, was part of the cargo transported on a vessel during the Neolithic period, over 5,000 years ago. The actual watercraft is unlikely to be recovered, as wood from that era typically decomposes over time.
Experts commended the skills of the police divers, highlighting the challenges posed by the relatively deep water at the archaeological site, making investigation and recovery efforts intricate.
The obsidian artifact is currently housed in storage in Naples and is slated for cleaning, examination, and preservation. The origins of the obsidian remain unknown, although volcanic islands in the Mediterranean, including Palmarola near Naples and Lipari near Sicily, host deposits of this valuable material.
Maritime archaeologist Sean Kingsley, editor-in-chief of Wreckwatch magazine, suggests that the obsidian may have been intended for trade or utilized in the creation of ritual items, drawing parallels with discoveries in Capri’s Neolithic Grotta delle Felci.
While the precise origin of the obsidian is yet to be determined, Kingsley draws attention to the advanced seafaring technology of the Neolithic period, exemplified by discoveries such as the canoes from the “La Marmotta” site near Rome. These canoes, dating between 5690 and 5250 B.C., showcase the capabilities of ancient seafarers, potentially navigating the Mediterranean with sophisticated vessels, including catamarans capable of carrying substantial cargo.
You can read the source article on livescience.com
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