Latest news with #Camarat4
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
French Navy's sea drone uncovers 16th-century shipwreck at record 8,200 feet depth
In a rare convergence of military technology and maritime archaeology, a French Navy underwater drone operating off the southern coast near Saint-Tropez has located the deepest shipwreck ever discovered in French territorial waters. Resting at a depth of 2,567 meters (1.5 miles or 8,200 feet), the 16th-century Italian merchant vessel, provisionally designated Camarat 4, has emerged as an exceptionally well-preserved time capsule from Renaissance maritime trade. Detected initially via sonar as an unidentified 'large object,' the wreck was later confirmed through high-definition imaging and robotic exploration. The vessel, estimated at 30 meters in length and 7 meters wide, was discovered nearly intact, its contents remarkably undisturbed. Naval authorities, in coordination with French maritime archaeologists, conducted follow-up surveys using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), revealing a diverse and intact cargo, including nearly 200 Ligurian ceramic jugs, an anchor, iron bars, artillery pieces, and neatly stacked yellow-glazed plates resting on the seabed. Despite minor contamination from modern debris, plastic bottles, fishing nets, and beer cans, the archaeological value of the find remains unparalleled. Researchers described the Camarat 4 as a 'time capsule' from the early modern period, its preserved cargo providing direct insight into the commercial and cultural networks that connected the Italian peninsula with wider Mediterranean markets. Initial assessments indicate the ship likely originated in Liguria, northern Italy. Ceramic artifacts bearing the 'IHS' monogram, abbreviating the Greek name of Jesus, along with floral and geometric motifs, are consistent with mid-16th-century Ligurian pottery. The vessel's design and construction further suggest it belonged to the class of merchant ships operated by Ligurian or Genoese crews, often consisting of family members or men from the same village. Such vessels formed the maritime backbone of Italy's Renaissance-era trade system, regularly transporting wine, olive oil, metal, and ceramics between Italy, Corsica, and Sardinia. The metal cargo aboard Camarat 4 primarily consists of iron bars, a common secondary export on Italian merchant ships of the period. Historical records confirm that these bars were typically bundled and protected against corrosion using organic wrapping. They were offloaded and distributed on arrival to regional blacksmiths, who converted the raw metal into tools, weapons, and agricultural implements. The presence of ceramics and iron on the wreck reflects the established risk-mitigation strategies of Renaissance maritime commerce, diversifying cargo to ensure profitability regardless of market fluctuations. The Camarat 4 joins many significant shipwreck discoveries in the western Mediterranean, including the Genoese Lomellina (sunk in 1516) and the Danish Sainte-Dorothéa (1693). A recent discovery highlights the fate of larger ships like the Santo Spirito and Santa Maria di Loreto. The Ragusan galleon sank near Genoa in 1579, carrying over 2,000 tons of naval supplies. This finding is an important milestone in underwater archaeology and a strong reminder of Italy's historic maritime republics. The combination of advanced naval detection platforms and methodical archaeological assessment has enabled unprecedented access to a submerged chapter of Mediterranean history hidden beneath 2.5 kilometers of seawater for nearly five centuries.
Euronews
21 hours ago
- Science
- Euronews
16th-century shipwreck discovered at record depth off French coast
Named Camarat 4, the wreck was located by chance during a French Navy seabed control mission in March 2025 and has since been studied by France's Department of Underwater Archaeological Research (Drassm). Remarkably well-preserved, the site is being described by archaeologists as a 'time capsule.' Over 200 ceramic jugs, neatly stacked plates, cannons, and cooking utensils were found intact. No signs of trauma or wreckage from battle were discovered, and the cause of the sinking remains unknown.
The Independent
21 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
The 16th-century shipwreck discovered in previously unmapped area
A 16th-century merchant vessel's remains have been discovered off the coast of southern France, the deepest shipwreck ever found in that part of the Mediterranean. The shipwreck, dubbed Camarat 4, was found at a depth of over 2.5km during a French navy seabed exploration mission off Ramatuelle in a previously unmapped area in March. Submersible drones captured detailed images and videos of the wreck, revealing about 200 earthenware pitchers trapped under sediment, some with the monogram 'IHS' and geometric decorations. Researchers suspect the ceramics were made in the Liguria region of northern Italy in the 16th century, and the wreck also contains around 100 plates, cannon anchors, and two cauldrons. Scientists plan further studies to create a 3D digital version of the ship and extract samples to enhance understanding of 16th-century Mediterranean navigation, with the wreckage well-preserved due to the depth.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Archaeologists uncover France's deepest shipwreck: ‘As if time froze'
Archaeologists have uncovered what could be a 16th-century merchant vessel's remains off the coast of southern France, marking the deepest shipwreck ever uncovered in this part of the Mediterranean. The shipwreck was found at a depth of over 2.5km during a seabed exploration mission by the French navy off the coast of Ramatuelle in March. Since the wreck site, dubbed Camarat 4, was previously unmapped, the navy decided to send submersible drones to inspect it. Then a second dive, carried out with a remotely operated vehicle, helped capture detailed high-quality images and videos of the wreck. Researchers suspect the wreck is of a 16th-century merchant vessel carrying a ceramics cargo. 'The quality of the images obtained makes it possible to detail this merchandise,' the French culture ministry's underwater archaeology department said in a statement. "It is the deepest shipwreck ever found in French territorial waters,' Arnaud Schaumasse, the head of the department, said. Pictures captured by the underwater drones reveal about 200 earthenware pitchers trapped under the sediment. Some of them carry the monogram 'IHS", the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, as well as geometric decorations. Based on these markings, researchers suspect the ceramics were made in the northern Italian coastal region of Liguria in the 16th century. Around 100 plates and other sunken artefacts, including cannon anchors and two cauldrons, were also spotted. At this depth of over 2km, the wreckage could be preserved from any degradation and looting, researchers said. 'In these abysses, time stopped during the 16th century,' the archaeology department said. In further studies, scientists hope to create a 3D digital version of the ship and extract samples from the site to add to their understanding of 16th century navigation in the Mediterranean. 'Exploration of the surroundings of the site and samples of furniture are the first perspectives of studies, which will be carried out with the help of a college of experts, archaeologists, ceramologists, specialists in naval architecture, anchors, artillery, material culture, restorer, and conservator,' the culture ministry said. 'This site will thus be able to integrate the 16th century wreck corpus, already rich in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.'
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Science
- LeMonde
Rare 16th-century shipwreck found at record depth in French waters
In early March, while the French Navy was conducting deep-sea training exercises off Ramatuelle in southeastern France, the sonar of an underwater drone detected something unusual more than 2,500 meters below the surface. The crew decided to send down an "eye" – a camera – to investigate further. The first images of the Camarat 4 appeared on-screen: a wreck measuring 30 meters long and seven meters wide. It was provisionally named after the nearest geographic point. At first, only the vessel's outline could be distinguished. The Navy then notified the Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research (DRASSM), the branch of the French Culture Ministry responsible for underwater archeology. They confirmed the news: It was a 16 th -century shipwreck, the deepest ever recorded in French waters. An exceptional discovery. The wreck of the merchant ship now joins those of the Lomellina, a Genoese nave that sank in 1516, and the Sainte-Dorothéa, a Danish ship lost in 1693 – other major discoveries made along this heavily traveled historical maritime route. "This is a genuine time capsule," said Marine Sadania, the DRASSM archaeologist responsible for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region in the south of France, at a press conference on June 11. "It feels as if time stopped on this ship." The ultra-high-definition footage taken by the Navy's remotely operated robots revealed an anchor, artillery pieces, several hundred ceramic pitchers and iron bars – likely intended for export. Yellow plates remained neatly stacked on the sand. But the photos also show a glove, beer cans, plastic bottles, handcuffs, fishing nets, and yogurt pots.
