Exhibition: The Zambratija Shipwreck – The Oldest Sewn Boat in the Mediterranean

Pins marking the locations of the stitching holes. © CNRS, CCJ / Philippe Groscaux

From 15 September 2026, the Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum at the Archaeological Park of Marsala–Lilybaeum will host an exhibition dedicated to the Zambratija Shipwreck, one of the most remarkable discoveries in Mediterranean nautical archaeology in recent decades.

Featuring a series of illustrated panels, the exhibition invites visitors to discover an exceptional prehistoric vessel found in the Bay of Zambratija, on the Istrian coast of Croatia. Dating from between the late 12th and the late 10th centuries BC, the shipwreck is the oldest known sewn boat in the Mediterranean. Its exceptional state of preservation has provided archaeologists with unprecedented insights into prehistoric shipbuilding techniques and the earliest seafaring traditions of the Mediterranean.

The exhibition retraces the major stages of the research project, from the discovery of the wreck by local fisherman to the underwater archaeological investigations carried out by a joint French-Croatian research team involving the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media, and the Centre Camille Jullian (CNRS – Aix-Marseille Université, France). Visitors will also learn about the delicate recovery of the vessel and the ongoing conservation programme aimed at preserving this unique archaeological heritage for future generations.

Through photographs, archaeological drawings, three-dimensional reconstructions and detailed explanations of prehistoric shipbuilding techniques, the exhibition illustrates how underwater archaeology, archaeometric analyses and advanced digital technologies contribute to reconstructing the history of early Mediterranean navigation. The exhibition also highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration in advancing our understanding of the maritime heritage shared by Mediterranean cultures.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum. Admission is free, subject to venue capacity.

We look forward to welcoming you to discover one of the most extraordinary testimonies to the earliest Mediterranean shipbuilding tradition and to meet some of the researchers involved in this international project.

Learn More

To learn more about the Zambratija Shipwreck, its archaeological significance and the scientific research behind the project, we invite you to explore the following resources: