 Alkedo on display in the Museum of Ancient Ships | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Alkedo |
| Status | Museum exhibit |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 22 m (72 ft) |
Alkedo is a preserved Roman shipwreck that sank in the 1st century AD, [1] and was discovered during a construction project in Pisa, Italy.
In 1998 construction began on a control center for the Rome-Genoa train line next to Pisa San Rossore. During the project, a series of shipwrecks numbering about thirty were discovered, including Alkedo. [2]
Constructed of holm oak and pine, with an insert in the bow made of oak, it was rowed by twelve oarsmen, and used as a pleasure craft. [lower-alpha 1] [1] [4] The ship's nearly intact hull has been preserved well enough to make out the inscription on a tablet nailed to one of the rower's benches; the inscription states the five letters that make up the word "ALK (E) DO". Translated from Latin to mean "seagull", which is thought to be the name of the ship. [1] [3] Traces of red and white were visible on the external sides of the ship during its excavation, which indicates it was once painted. [1] It is displayed next to a full size replica in the Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa, Italy. [2]
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Media related to Alkedo (ship) at Wikimedia Commons