Archaeology & History

Ancient shipwreck filled with Roman 'ketchup'

By T.K. Randall
December 13, 2015

Image: Roman Legionnaire
Credit: Rennett Stowe / CC BY 2.0 (adapted) Dating back to the second century A.D., the doomed ship was found 650ft down off the coast of Liguria in northwest Italy. It sunk while transporting large quantities of a popular fish-based seasoning known as garum - a precursor to modern condiments such as tomato ketchup.

The delicacy was manufactured in vast quantities in Western Europe and then transported by ship to destinations across the Roman Empire. It was created by fermenting fish in saltwater and was added to just about every meal - often in place of salt which was a lot more expensive.The ship, which is one of only five Roman vessels ever discovered in the depths of the Mediterranean, was thought to have been carrying thousands of jars.

"It has not been possible yet to recover a jar with residues that can be analyzed," archaeologist Vincenzo Tiné said in a statement. "However, the one we brought to light, which is identical to all the others, is of a shape that was used exclusively for garum."

Source: Discovery News

Tags: Roman