Byzantine Shipwreck Gold Hoard off Mljet

Archaeologists have been investigating a 7th‑8th‑century Byzantine shipwreck off the Adriatic island of Mljet since 2015. The vessel, sunk at about 30‑140 m depth, was part of a major sea route linking Constantinople with Adriatic ports and northern Italy.

Excavations have recovered more than 600 g of gold, including four ornate belt sets set with emeralds, rubies and pearls, numerous gold solidi minted under four Heraclian emperors, and a rare signet ring bearing an imperial portrait. The concentration of wealth suggests the ship was carrying a senior imperial official rather than ordinary cargo, making it the largest gold cargo ever recovered from a Mediterranean Byzantine wreck.

The finds, together with amphorae, ceramics, ivory gaming pieces and other artefacts, provide new evidence of early‑Middle‑Ages Byzantine trade, official travel and diplomatic connections across the Adriatic. In July 2026, Croatia’s Institute of Conservation publicly announced the discovery, confirming the cleaned gold weight exceeds 600 g and reiterating that the treasure challenges the notion of a simple merchant vessel, pointing instead to a diplomatic or elite transport. The investigation has been led by Pavle Dugonjic and Igor Miholjek.

Plans are under way for a major exhibition, a catalogue and a documentary film on the discovery.