Byzantine shipwreck off Croatia's Mljet yields unprecedented gold treasure

Archaeologists from the Croatian Conservation Institute have excavated a Byzantine shipwreck lying about 140 m beneath the Adriatic off the island of Mljet, Croatia. The wreck dates to the late 7th or early 8th century and was part of a busy sea route linking Constantinople with Adriatic ports and northern Italy.

The dive has recovered a remarkable gold hoard, including four ceremonial belt sets set with emeralds, rubies and pearls, several gold solidi minted under four Heraclian emperors, and a rare gold signet ring engraved with a Heraclian emperor’s portrait. The concentration of gold – over 600 grams – is the largest ever recovered from a Byzantine wreck in the Mediterranean, suggesting the vessel was carrying valuable cargo and possibly a senior imperial official.

The finds provide new evidence of Byzantine trade, official travel and political connections across the Adriatic during the early Middle Ages.