تازہ ترین

Archaeologists have uncovered an extraordinary collection of gold coins and precious jewelry from a sunken Byzantine-era ship near Croatia’s southern coastline, offering new insights into the empire’s maritime history and suggesting that a high-ranking official may have been among the passengers. The ancient shipwreck was first discovered more than a decade ago, but researchers spent several years conducting detailed underwater excavations before releasing their findings. The results, announced on Thursday, indicate that the vessel most likely dates back to the seventh or eighth century AD, making it one of the region’s most significant archaeological discoveries in recent years. According to experts, the remarkable collection of valuables recovered from the wreck suggests that the ship was far more than an ordinary merchant vessel. Instead, archaeologists believe it may have been transporting an influential government official, noble, or other prominent figure, accompanied by attendants or security personnel. Among the most valuable discoveries are gold coins minted during the reigns of four Byzantine emperors from the Heraclian dynasty, which ruled between AD 610 and 711. Researchers also recovered ornate gold fittings from luxury boxes decorated with rubies, emeralds, and pearls, highlighting the wealth and status of those on board. The quality and rarity of the artifacts provide important clues about the Byzantine Empire’s political, economic, and cultural life during the early medieval period. Experts say the recovered objects demonstrate the sophisticated craftsmanship of the era and reveal the importance of maritime travel for government officials and elite members of society. The ongoing archaeological investigation is expected to deepen historians’ understanding of Byzantine trade routes, royal travel, and naval activity across the Adriatic Sea. Researchers hope that further analysis of the ship’s structure, cargo, and recovered artifacts will help reconstruct the vessel’s final journey and explain the circumstances that led to its sinking centuries ago. Officials involved in the excavation described the discovery as a major milestone in underwater archaeology. As conservation work continues, many of the recovered treasures are expected to be carefully preserved and studied, providing valuable information for future research into the Byzantine Empire and its influence across southeastern Europe. The discovery underscores the importance of underwater archaeological exploration and demonstrates how centuries-old shipwrecks continue to reveal remarkable stories about ancient civilizations, their rulers, and the maritime networks that connected them across the Mediterranean world.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a series of long-range strikes targeting key Russian military infrastructure, including a weapons components factory, a warship, and a cargo vessel allegedly linked to the transportation of Iranian military equipment. The announcement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the operations were part of Kyiv’s continued efforts to weaken Russia’s military capabilities. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces carried out precision strikes overnight against facilities that support Russia’s ongoing military campaign. He described the attacks as a response to continued Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. According to the Ukrainian president, one of the primary targets was a factory in Russia’s Kirov region that manufactures components used in weapons deployed against Ukraine. Zelensky noted that the facility is located approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the Ukrainian border, highlighting the growing range of Ukraine’s strike capabilities. Ukraine also claimed to have targeted an oil refinery in Tyumen, a logistics facility in Yekaterinburg, and a fuel and supply depot in Rostov-on-Don. These locations are considered strategically important for supporting Russian military operations and logistics. In addition to the strikes inside Russia, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces achieved significant results in the Caspian Sea. He claimed that a Russian warship and vessels allegedly involved in transporting Iranian military-related cargo were also targeted during the operation. Ukraine has not released further details regarding the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that one of its commercial ships was hit in the Caspian Sea and strongly condemned the incident. Iranian officials said the attack caused an explosion aboard the vessel, killing one civilian and injuring another. Tehran described the strike as an act of aggression and accused Ukraine of attempting to broaden the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Iran also stated that it would safeguard its national interests and security while condemning any attacks on its civilian maritime assets. The incident has added another layer of tension to an already complex regional situation involving Russia, Ukraine, and Iran. The claims made by Ukraine and Iran have not been independently verified, and Russian authorities have not issued a detailed public response regarding the reported strikes. As the conflict continues, long-range attacks on military and logistical targets remain a significant feature of the ongoing war, reflecting the evolving nature of the battlefield and the growing strategic reach of both sides.