Pollen in Tar Reveals Ancient Ship Journeys | Science News

Scientists uncovering a 2,200-year-old Roman shipwreck found that ancient sailors sealed their hulls with pine tar—and sometimes mixed it with beeswax. Pollen trapped in the tar acts like a time capsule, revealing where the ship was repaired, from Mediterranean coasts to mountainous riverbanks. Evidence points to at least five repair jobs across different regions, suggesting a vessel constantly maintained on long voyages across the Adriatic. This discovery reshapes our understanding of Roman shipbuilding ingenuity and how natural materials kept ancient ships afloat. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/016ff629fe1ea537