According to IFLScience, archaeologists from Croatia’s International Centre for Underwater Archaeology (ICUA) have uncovered a treasure trove of rare brass trumpets in a 16th-century shipwreck off Istria’s southern coast.
This unknown vessel, armed with English iron cannons, met its end during tumultuous storms. Alongside ceramic vessels, colourful glass beads, and red glass bowls, the recent excavations revealed over ten brass trumpets, a rare find for the period.
The trumpets, marked with inscriptions from Strasbourg and Leiden, suggest a rich story of international trade. One trumpet bears the Latin name for Leiden, “LVGDVNY BATAVORVM,” a detail previously unknown in maritime history.
Though initial assessments hint at a Dutch origin, linking trade routes between Leiden, Venice, and Constantinople, more years of research are required for definitive conclusions. Digital techniques like photogrammetry are aiding in documenting the site, while the ship’s anchor and cannons will remain as underwater attractions for diving enthusiasts.
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Finding rare musical instruments in shipwrecks is not unprecedented. In 2007, a team discovered a 19th-century violin on the Titanic, while another crew unearthed a unique lyre from an ancient Greek shipwreck in 2015. These discoveries, like the trumpets found in Croatia, offer invaluable insights into historical trade and cultural exchange.
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