Bernardin and Portorož are among Slovenia's busiest seaside resorts, but it is less known that the stretch of the coast and sea between them holds an important archaeological site. After discovering the remains of an ancient settlement and a fish farm, divers have now found evidence of an ancient harbour, including masts.

Excavations at the Fizine site have been conducted in several campaigns since 2017 with the final phase of the underwater survey focusing on the search for evidence of the ancient harbour.

The Institute for Underwater Archaeology says the findings confirm the existence of a small harbour with a mooring and a wooden structure. Particularly important are the mast finds.

The wooden structure discovered near Bernardin beach could have been used in the past to allow access from boats to the shore or as a breakwater.

More than 3,000 ceramic fragments have been found in the Roman layers at the site. "The findings so far show the majority are imported late antiquity pottery: amphorae, kitchenware and fine tableware," the institute has told the Slovenian Press Agency.

Exceptional finds

In addition to pieces of ceramic vessels, the site also yielded a sail element, a large number of wooden stakes and two pieces of different masts.

Dated from between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, the masts were probably in secondary use as a mooring for a vessel or as a supporting beam for a wooden structure.

The first mast was made of fir wood. The piece found is about one metre long and had an integrated oak pulley. The second mast is made of spruce wood and is about one and a half metres long.

One of two different masts found at the Fizine site. Photo: The Institute for Underwater Archaeology

The institute says findings of masts and sails from antiquity are extremely rare, and interpretations are mainly linked to experimental archaeology and to visual historical sources such as reliefs, statues, drawings, paintings, depictions on coins and mosaics.

"If the interpretations of the two Fizine elements are confirmed, these are unique examples on a global scale," the researchers say. In fact, they are extremely rare examples of ancient masts, considering the finds from at least the past 20 years throughout the Mediterranean region.

In the next phase, various scientists and archaeologists will examine specific aspects of the site. After that, the site will be evaluated in light of the results of the entire research.

The analysis of the wood and dating of the finds have already been carried out. Now an archaeological case study will compare the finds with other similar scientific publications.

The wooden finds will be conserved with melamine resin at the restoration centre. All finds will be handed over to the Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum in Piran, which also keeps other finds from the Fizine area.

Three ancient sites at Fizine

Late antiquity began towards the end of the 3rd century, which the institute says was a time of rapid and long-term change, when the Roman Empire was divided into a western and an eastern parts.

While the western part faced constant internal upheaval and invasions by Germanic tribes, the eastern part of the empire enjoyed more stability. There, the Byzantine Empire controlled the entire Dalmatia and, at the height of its power, the whole territory along the northern Adriatic coast.

After the 5th century, coastal towns now in Slovenia were directly under Byzantine rule. The period gradually transitioned into the early Middle Ages. Late antiquity in the Fizine area thus extends back to at least the 6th century AD, the institute explained.

Ancient remains at the Fizine area. Photo: The Institute for Underwater Archaeology

Apart from the latest one, two other Roman sites were earlier discovered in the area. The first was explored in 1998 and comprises the remains of a settlement with a farm building near where there is now a fuel station.

The second site is now under the sea level. In 2004 and 2005, archaeologists explored the foundations of what was an ancient fish farm. The remains of two ancient pools along the promenade next to the former salt warehouses are still clearly visible from above.

Long tradition of underwater research

This year the institute is planning to set up monitoring at selected sites of underwater archaeological cultural heritage in the Bay of Koper.

Since currently no construction projects are planned for this year that would require underwater archaeological surveys, they will focus on training sessions and other research projects.

Slovenia has one of the longest traditions of underwater research in Europe, the first of which was carried out in 1884 in the Ljubljanica River near Vrhnika.

Since the early 1960s, underwater archaeology has developed as part of various museums and institutions. The Institute for Underwater Archaeology brought together experts in the field as a private initiative in 2013.

The institute would in the future like to focus more on research projects, promotion and presentation of their work and underwater heritage. They want to attract younger archaeologists to take the lead in this field in the future. They are happy there are quite a few among their members already.