Alkedo on display in the Museum of Ancient Ships
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History | |
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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. [a] [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]
operational⛵ preserved⚓ | |
Pre-1800 |
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1800–1879 |
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1880–1899 |
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1900–1907 |
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1908–1914 |
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World War I |
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