The exhibition “Hydro-archaeological recognizing and explorations of Vrsar and Poreč aquatorium” by the Native Museum of Poreč was presented in the Fritzy Palace in Mali Lošinj. The author of the exhibition is Vladimir Kovačić, one of the last underwater archaeologist of the “old school” who selected for the occasion the most representative part of rich hydroarchaeological material found during the researches of Vrsar and Poreč aquatorium in 1980’s and 1990’s.
The majority of the exhibits is dated to the ancient times, while a separate unit consists of the metal parts of the Roman ship sunk in the 3rd century A.D. together with its cargo (amphorae and ceramic dishes). A particularly interesting exhibit is ancient stone anchor found in the port of Poreč where many less ancient ceramic pipes were also discovered.
By this exhibition the Lošinj Museum marks the 9th anniversary of the discovery of the most significant hydroarchaeological find in Croatia in the last decades – the Apoxiomenos from Lošinj.
Lošinj is an island which has a long and reputable diving tradition and rich yet insufficiently explored undersea world. In order to protect this “undersea treasure” it should be systematically explored and documented through the projects jointly led by conservationists, hydroarchaeologists and museum staff in cooperation with the local community. The example from Istria can encourage such projects.
m projektima.