Excavated off the Croatian coast near the island of Ilovik, the Ilovik–Paržine 1 shipwreck sank approximately 2,200 years ago. While the hull and its cargo of logs and amphoras have been studied, the complex organic materials used for its waterproof coatings remained a mystery until now. Employing a combination of advanced molecular and palynological (pollen) analyses, researchers from France and Croatia have unveiled the composition and provenance of the ship’s adhesive layers. This work critically bridges archaeology, chemistry, and botany, offering unprecedented insights into ancient maritime craftsmanship.

Organic coatings, often disregarded in classical archaeology, are essential for vessel longevity and performance. Dr. Armelle Charrié, an archaeometrist from Strasbourg’s Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry of Interactions and Systems, emphasized that these organic materials are “true witnesses of past naval technologies.” The team identified two distinct coatings on Ilovik–Paržine 1: a pine tar (or pitch) based adhesive and a composite blend of pine tar and beeswax. Notably, pollen trapped within these substances acts as a botanical fingerprint, revealing the vegetation present during the coatings’ preparation and application, and thus offering clues to the environmental context of the ship’s maintenance.

The discovery of pine tar coatings corroborates its known use as a natural sealant in antiquity. Pine tar, derived from heated conifer resin, provides a viscous, water-resistant barrier critical to protecting wooden structures from marine biofouling and structural decay. Analyzing ten distinct coating samples via mass spectrometry allowed for precise molecular fingerprinting. One of these samples contained a mixture combining pine tar with beeswax known historically to Greek shipbuilders as zopissa. This blend enhances flexibility and adhesiveness, facilitating the application of the waterproof layer, especially when heated, demonstrating sophisticated ancient material engineering.

A particularly compelling aspect is pollen’s role as a time capsule embedded within the coating layers. As pitch is inherently sticky, it captures pollen grains from the surrounding environment. Analyzing the diversity and concentration of these microscale plant remnants revealed a specific biogeographical signature. The pollen assemblage featured flora characteristic of the Mediterranean and Adriatic coastal mosaic: holly oak, pine forests, Mediterranean shrubland known as matorral, and Mediterranean tree species such as olive and hazel. The presence of alder and ash denotes riparian vegetation found near sea and river margins, while fir and beech pollen hints at upland mountain sources.

The palynological data suggest that the pine tar or pitch was sourced from multiple regional forest types, pointing to the procurement of materials from varied ecological zones along the Adriatic. The pollen signatures align with the coastal and mountainous geography of northeastern Adriatic territories like Istria and Dalmatia, matching the shipwreck’s modern discovery site. This multiregional origin supports the hypothesis of the vessel receiving periodic refurbishments during its operational lifespan, utilizing locally available natural resources for coating repairs.

Molecular analyses uncovered at least four to five distinct episodes of coating application on the vessel, reinforcing the idea of recurrent maintenance. Interestingly, coating compositions on the ship’s stern and central hull were similar, while multiple, chemically and botanically distinct layers appeared on the bow. This stratification implies that as the ship aged and undertook long voyages, it underwent sequential patching, possibly reflecting stopovers in different Mediterranean ports where repairs were needed, and materials were variably sourced.

Additionally, this multimethodological study complements prior research on ballast stones from the Ilovik–Paržine 1, which identified Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi) on Italy’s southeastern coast as the probable original shipbuilding site. The pollen profiles from some coatings causally link the pitch to this region, while others suggest later interventions occurred closer to the Adriatic coast where the ship ultimately met its fate. This evidentiary chain elegantly ties together shipbuilding provenance, maintenance patterns, and regional maritime networks during the Roman Republic era.

From a technological perspective, the identification of zopissa—a beeswax and pine tar mixture—is especially illuminating. Its enhanced adhesive properties imply a sophisticated understanding of composite materials by ancient Mediterranean shipwrights. This knowledge optimized hull protection and maintenance, significantly extending a ship’s service life. The unique chemical signatures identified through mass spectrometry affirm that such coatings were not mere random applications but deliberate techniques embedded in maritime tradition.

This research not only fills a critical gap in underwater archaeology but also broadens our appreciation of the complexity inherent in ancient shipbuilding materials. Studies like this highlight how integrating molecular chemistry and palynology can extract nuanced historical narratives from otherwise overlooked organic residues. The dialogue between preserved biomolecules and trapped pollen offers a compelling reconstruction of past human-environment interactions and technological ingenuity.

Such investigations bear strong implications for both archaeological methodology and conservation science. Understanding the chemical nature and sources of these coatings informs artifact preservation strategies, ensuring that future underwater excavations encompass a broader analytical scope. More broadly, the work underscores how refined scientific approaches can revive ancient knowledge systems, illuminating the meticulous craftsmanship that sustained Mediterranean maritime culture for centuries.

In conclusion, Dr. Charrié and colleagues’ molecular and palynological analysis of the Ilovik–Paržine 1’s protective coatings reveals a vibrant narrative of shipbuilding mastery, material innovation, and environmental connectivity during the Roman Republic. Through identifying ancient composite sealants and their botanical provenance, the study offers not only a window into historical ship repair practices but also a transformative model for exploring organic archaeological materials that shape our understanding of maritime history.

Subject of Research: Not applicable

Article Title: Adhesive coatings in naval archaeology: molecular and palynological investigations on materials from the Roman Republican wreck Ilovik–Paržine 1 (Croatia)

News Publication Date: 24-Apr-2026

Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2026.1758862

Image Credits: Adriboats © L. Damelet, CNRS/CCJ

Keywords: Roman shipwreck, pine tar, pitch, beeswax, zopissa, molecular analysis, pollen analysis, naval archaeology, Adriatic, composite adhesives, maritime technology, ancient shipbuilding

The preservation of Pompeii and its artifacts under volcanic ash provides an extraordinary snapshot of Roman life almost two millennia ago. Among the items extensively researched are household altars, which contained incense burners—vessels used by inhabitants to offer fragrances to their gods in domestic rituals. Prior to this study, the exact substances burned in these everyday religious contexts remained speculative. Through meticulous residue analysis, the team has produced direct molecular evidence, revealing not only a variety of local botanicals but also exotic resins imported from distant tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Key to this research was the identification of distinct chemical markers emblematic of tree resins known today to originate from tropical rainforests. The analysis demonstrated that these substances were not indigenous to the Italian peninsula, thereby substantiating the notion that Pompeian inhabitants had access to luxury goods from far-flung regions. This discovery significantly reshapes our understanding of the scope and reach of Roman trade routes, suggesting that Pompeii’s economy and culture were directly connected to global commerce nearly two thousand years ago.

Complementing the identification of exotic resins, the study uncovered molecular signatures indicative of grape-derived products, likely wine, within the incense burners. This aligns with Roman literary and iconographic sources that describe the use of wine in ritualistic contexts, yet provides the first physical corroboration of these ethnographic accounts. The presence of wine residues alongside burnt aromatic substances reveals a complex ritual practice involving multi-component offerings, thus enriching the historical narrative of domestic cult activities.

The interdisciplinary nature of the study cannot be overstated. By integrating chemical analysis techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the team could characterize organic molecules at an unprecedented resolution. These methods allowed for the discrimination of overlapping chemical profiles from mixed botanical sources, revealing a mosaic of ritual substances once thought lost to antiquity.

Moreover, microscopic examination uncovered microremains—tiny fragments of plant tissues and resins adhered to the internal surfaces of the burners—which further authenticated the molecular findings. The combination of molecular and physical evidence creates a robust framework, contextualizing the domestic religiosity of Pompeii within its wider economic and cultural milieu.

The implications extend beyond the realm of archaeology. This empirical evidence reinforces broader models of ancient globalization, demonstrating how everyday religious practices were materially influenced by the long-distance exchange of goods. These findings imply a sophisticated consumer economy, where ritual consumption mirrored wider socioeconomic trends, integrating local and exotic elements into daily life.

Pompeii Archaeological Park, responsible for preserving this UNESCO World Heritage site, accentuates the value of such scientific explorations. According to the park’s director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, contemporary archaeological methodologies that embrace interdisciplinary collaboration are transforming our comprehension of Roman urbanism and culture. This research exemplifies how combining state-of-the-art science with excavation data unlocks secrets hidden for centuries.

The study also highlights the importance of reexamining previously-excavated materials using modern analytical approaches. As older collections are reanalyzed, we can expect further revelations that challenge and refine the historical record. The volatile history of Pompeii, rather than limiting our knowledge, provides a uniquely preserved repository ripe for new scientific interrogations.

Ultimately, these findings amplify understanding of the symbolic and economic dimensions of ritual in ancient societies. The detection of imported incense and wine in domestic altars attests to a nuanced interaction between local tradition and global influences, embodied through the sensory experience of scent and taste in sacred contexts. Such insights open up new avenues for exploring the interconnectedness of ancient peoples and their world.

This research not only enhances archaeological interpretations of Pompeii but also inspires broader reflections on globalization, culture, and religion in antiquity. As the scientific techniques employed continue to advance, future studies will doubtless unearth more about the intricate tapestry of human history, linking tiny ash residues to expansive narratives of trade, belief, and identity.

Subject of Research: Analysis of incense burner residues to understand domestic cult practices and trade networks in ancient Pompeii.

Article Title: Ashes from Pompeii: incense burners, residue analyses and domestic cult practices

News Publication Date: 30-Mar-2026

Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2026.10320

Keywords: Pompeii, Roman domestic cults, incense burners, residue analysis, ancient trade networks, exotic resins, archaeological chemistry, biomolecular archaeology, Mount Vesuvius, ancient globalization, ritual wine, interdisciplinary research