Archaeologists explore a sunken harbour under sea level in Croatia
For the third year, the Institute of Archaeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences has been part of an international project researching a late antique harbour on the Croatian island of Mljet. Since 2023, it has been headed by experienced archaeologist Dr Igor Miholjek (Hrvatski restauratorski zavod). Together with Croatian experts, the project is being carried out by the Department of Classical Archaeology of the University of Trnava in Trnava, the German association DEGUWA – Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Unterwasserarchäologie e.V., NavArchos Maritime Archaeology and volunteers.
The Slovak team consisted of Klaudia Daňová and doctoral student Martin Kvietok (Institute of Archaeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences), Miroslava Daňová and students of the University of Trnava, two members of the Coast Guard Department of the Slovak Police and a technical diver as a volunteer. This is the composition of the Slovak team for underwater research in our waters.
Work not only under the sea surface
Archaeological research was carried out under the sea surface in the coastal zone, in the immediate vicinity of the ruins of the late antique palace. During three intensive weeks, another part of the port was explored. However, the work does not end in the depths of the sea - the found material is also analysed in detail on land. Student Katarína Valúchová from the University of Trnava, who is addressing this topic in her diploma thesis, is also involved in the processing of the amphorae from Mljet. The researchers' joint outputs will be presented at the international conference DEGUWA 2026, which will take place in May in Batumi, Georgia.
Participation in international projects is crucial for Slovak archaeologists. It provides space to improve methodological procedures, exchange experiences with foreign colleagues, and acquire new skills, which are subsequently applied in the research of Slovak rivers and lakes.
Text: Miroslava Daňová, University of Trnava and Klaudia Daňová, Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
Photo: Mirolava Daňová, E. Salaj