Archaeologists from the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, Italy, alongside the Underwater Archaeology Faculty in Tehran, have made an extraordinary discovery along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran, Iran. A team of researchers has successfully uncovered the remains of a wooden shipwreck that offers valuable insight into the maritime history of the region. This finding provides a rare glimpse into the trade practices and shipbuilding techniques that shaped the Caspian Sea’s maritime culture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The excavation was part of ongoing efforts to study the shifting landscapes and historical legacies buried along the Caspian coast, a region that has long been influenced by fluctuating sea levels. These changing conditions have, over time, exposed a wealth of cultural artifacts, including shipwrecks, which were once hidden beneath sediment and sand dunes. The wreck in question, located near the Mazandaran coast, was revealed after rising sea levels eroded part of a large, three-meter-high sand dune that had concealed the ship for centuries.
The shipwreck itself is an impressive 28 meters in length and provides a detailed snapshot of a bygone era. The vessel, believed to have been a three-masted merchant ship, is thought to have been abandoned around the late 18th century or early 19th century. Archaeologists uncovered a wealth of structural elements of the hull, the masts, and even remnants of the ship’s cargo. These findings have offered key insights into the origins of the ship, including clues about its construction practices and the composition of its cargo. By carefully analyzing the wreckage, the researchers were able to trace the likely historical context of the ship, its maritime connections, and the industries that sustained it.
The Caspian Sea, surrounded by five nations—Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan—has long served as a critical trade route connecting diverse cultures and economies. The ship discovered in Mazandaran is thought to have been part of this vibrant trade network. Archaeologists believe the vessel was operated under Russian influence, which dominated maritime trade in the Caspian during the 18th century. In their study, titled “The Shipwreck of Zaghemarz, Mazandaran, Iran: Archaeology, Archaeobotany and Absolute Dating of an Eighteenth‑Century Vessel of the Caspian Sea,” published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, the team details a range of discoveries that point to Russian shipbuilding practices in the region during this time period.
The excavation site was carefully preserved by constructing a temporary sandbag barrier to prevent further erosion from waves. This barrier allowed the archaeologists to conduct a thorough and careful excavation of the site over two field seasons. During the excavation, they meticulously documented 43 stratigraphic layers that revealed the ship’s burial history. These sediment layers, which accumulated over centuries, offered an invaluable timeline of the ship’s preservation and eventual abandonment.
To understand the vessel’s origins and history in greater detail, researchers collected a range of samples from the wreckage, including wood samples and plant remains. Radiocarbon dating was performed on three wood samples and buckwheat seeds found in a basket located in the lowest compartment of the ship. These samples provided essential data to model the construction and lifespan of the ship, as well as to determine the timing of repairs and its eventual wrecking. In addition to the radiocarbon dating, botanical remains were extracted through water sieving techniques and examined under high-powered microscopes to identify the various plant species present.
The analysis of the wood samples yielded intriguing findings. The structural elements of the ship were constructed primarily from Scots Pine and Spruce/Larch wood. These wood species suggest that the shipbuilders may have sourced materials from the Volga River basin or the Caucasus region, both areas known for their timber resources. In addition to these woods, a tool made from poplar wood was also recovered, offering further evidence of the ship’s connection to the surrounding region and providing clues to the diverse range of materials used in its construction.
Radiocarbon dating of the pine wood samples from the ship’s hull placed the initial construction of the vessel between 1762 and 1808. This timeline suggests that the ship was built during the late 18th century. Researchers also found evidence of repairs made to the ship, as indicated by the presence of younger spruce/larch timbers. This suggests that the vessel was maintained over time, likely to extend its service life before eventually being abandoned. Additionally, the buckwheat seeds found in the lower compartment of the ship provided important information about its final period of use. These seeds were dated to a broad range spanning into the early 20th century, aligning with historical accounts of the ship’s abandonment.
In addition to the wood samples, the archaeobotanical analysis of the ship’s cargo offered further insight into the vessel’s trade activities. Researchers identified six plant families in the cargo, with buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) being the most abundant plant species. The well-preserved triangular achenes, found in three wicker baskets, were traced to regions around the Volga River basin or the Caucasus, where buckwheat was widely cultivated. Buckwheat, a staple food for sailors, was commonly traded as a durable and nutritious commodity in the Caspian maritime economy during this time period. The presence of buckwheat as the primary cargo supports the theory that the ship was involved in the region’s commercial exchanges, particularly in the transportation of foodstuffs and agricultural products.
Along with buckwheat, researchers also discovered several associated weeds, including lambs quarters (Chenopodium album) and pennycress (Thlaspi arvense). These weeds, which often grow alongside cultivated crops, provided further evidence of the agricultural practices in the region. The presence of these plant species helped researchers identify the broader agricultural context in which the ship operated, indicating that the Caspian region was a hub for both crop cultivation and trade.
The combination of the radiocarbon dating of the ship’s wood and the botanical analysis of its cargo allowed researchers to construct a more comprehensive picture of the ship’s history. Based on these findings, they concluded that the vessel was likely part of a merchant fleet operating in the Caspian Sea under Russian influence. The predominance of buckwheat in the cargo, coupled with the historical context of maritime trade in the region, strongly suggests that the ship was engaged in the transportation of essential food commodities, providing vital sustenance to the merchant fleets of the time.
This discovery not only adds to our understanding of the region’s maritime history but also underscores the complex web of trade and cultural exchange that existed in the Caspian Sea during the 18th and 19th centuries. The shipwreck provides crucial evidence of the interconnectedness of the Caspian nations and their reliance on the sea as a vital conduit for commerce and communication. Moreover, the ship’s well-preserved remains offer a rare and valuable glimpse into the construction techniques and materials used in shipbuilding during this period.
Through careful excavation and detailed analysis, the archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of information that sheds light on the ship’s construction, its cargo, and its role in the maritime economy of the Caspian region. The findings of this excavation not only enhance our understanding of the history of the Caspian Sea but also contribute to the broader field of maritime archaeology, offering insights into the cultural and economic exchanges that shaped the course of history in this important region. As future excavations continue to explore the depths of the Caspian Sea, there is no doubt that more discoveries like this will help to further enrich our understanding of the past.
More information: Lorenzo Costantini et al, The Shipwreck of Zaghemarz, Mazandaran, Iran: Archaeology, Archaeobotany and Absolute Dating of an Eighteenth-Century Vessel of the Caspian Sea, Journal of Maritime Archaeology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11457-024-09430-6