A detailed investigation of a wooden shipwreck discovered off the Mazandaran coast in southern Iran shed light on maritime trade in the Caspian Sea. The findings were recently detailed in a study published in the Journal of Marine Archaeology.
Archaeologists from the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies in Italy and the Underwater Archaeology Faculty in Tehran conducted the excavation work. Over two seasons of excavations, structural elements of the ship's hull, masts, and remnants of its cargo were uncovered, providing clues about the ship's possible origin through cargo composition and construction practices.
Climate change-induced fluctuations in sea level exposed the remains of the ship, which had been buried under layers of sediment for about 200 years. Before the excavation, researchers anticipated that removing the sand around the ship would expose it to violent sea waves. To protect the site, a protective wall was built parallel to the ship's structure using thousands of 50-kilogram sandbags, guarding against wave erosion during the excavation.
Radiocarbon dating of the wooden vessel, which measures approximately 28 meters in length, placed its initial construction between 1762 and 1808, suggesting it was built in Russia during the period. Evidence of spruce/larch repairs indicates that the ship underwent several renovations and maintenance work after its initial construction.
Structural analysis revealed that the ship was primarily constructed from Scots Pine and Spruce/Larch wood, indicating possible sourcing from the Volga basin region or the Caucasus. "The radiocarbon dating and the available historical records suggest that the ship was constructed between the late eighteenth century and the first half of the nineteenth century and later repaired on multiple occasions," the study noted.
The shipwreck contained baskets with plant material, primarily buckwheat seeds, which formed the majority of the recovered remains and supported historical accounts of buckwheat's use as a staple food for sailors and a trade good in the Caspian maritime economy. Analysis identified six plant families in the ship's cargo, confirming that buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) was the most abundant, reinforcing its role as a primary food source for sailors.
The researchers determined that the buckwheat seeds originated from cultivation regions near the Volga River basin or the Caucasus. These findings reflect agricultural practices in the region and illustrate the interconnectedness of maritime and agricultural economies. They also demonstrate how climate change contributes to understanding the cultural and economic history of the area.
Additionally, the discovery included a tool crafted from poplar wood recovered from the shipwreck. Despite the findings, the cargo yielded "disappointing" results, as it was almost empty, though associated weeds like lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album) and pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) were present.
It is believed that the ship was used for trade under Russian influence in the Caspian Sea, as part of a fleet of merchant ships operating in the region. The Caspian Sea has served as an important historical trade route connecting five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
In the study titled The Shipwreck of Zaghemarz, Mazandaran, Iran: Archaeology, Archaeobotany and Absolute Dating of an Eighteenth-Century Vessel of the Caspian Sea, published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, researchers detail multiple findings that align with Russian shipbuilding practices in the Caspian during the 18th century. By analyzing the ship’s structure and cargo, archaeologists can piece together a more complete picture of its history, including where it was built, where it sailed, and the role it played in the maritime trade of the Caspian Sea during that period.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.