Evolution of Roman Anchors

Sara SpataforeSession 9

October 24, 2012

Anchor Anatomy

Stone AnchorsEarliest anchors used and still in use today

Made up composite anchors used to take wooden anchor down

Buoy and Mooring anchorsFishing gear

Weighed down netsRecycled Stones

Types of Stone AnchorsNo Hole

May have groove cut around (waisted)One Hole

2nd Millenium B.C.Two Holes

One hole for rope and other for anchorClassical (3 Holes)

Wood-Stone CombinationWood and stone were used together to create

different types of anchors

Stocked AnchorsIn use since at least 500 B.C. based on

Persian coinageStocks set at right angle to flukes to force

them to dig into the seabed to increase anchor weight and holdingIron, lead, or wood

Advancements with metalBronze age led to the

inclusion of metal in anchorsLead stocks and collarsLead lined wooden anchors

Wooden anchors dipped in molten lead

Lead filled wooden anchors Hallowed wooden anchors

filled with molten lead

Evolution of Roman Anchor ShapesA: Roman Republic

509 B.C.B: Early Roman

Empire82 B.C.

C: Roman Empire27 B.C.

D: End of Roman Period284-476 A.D.

E: Byzantine

Nemi Ships Created under Caligula dating

to 1st Century A.D. Pleasure barges?

Fishermen Grappling hooks to salvage

pieces 1446: Cardinal Colonna and

Leon Battista Alberti Ropes that damaged planks

covered in lead sheeting 1535: Francesco de Marchi

dove using diving bell Bricks, marble paving stones,

bronze, copper, lead artifacts, and timber beams

Nemi Ships Continued Between 1928 and 1932 Nemi

lake was drained Before discovery of the

anchors the composition had been heavily debated

The ships were constructed between the periods when iron anchors were replacing wooden ones

Two Anchors: Oak with iron-tipped flukes

and stock of lead Iron with folding timber

stock Looked much like

Admiralty anchors reinvented in the 19th century

Port of Sanijta Anchors

Importance to ArchaeologyThe shape of an anchor can help date

shipwrecks and indicate the ship’s originsAn anchor could be an indication of a

shipwreck or one that had to be detached from the ship

The size and weight of an anchor indicates the size and type of a ship

Works CitedPerehttp://biganchorproject.com/http://www.abc.se/~pa/bld/anchors.htmhttp://www.abc.se/~pa/mar/nemships.htmGay, Jacques. Six Millénaires d'histoire des

ancres. Paris: University of Paris Sarbonne, 1997. Print.