A 1,300-year-old shipwreck off the Croatian island of Mljet has revealed more than 600 grams of gold, including a signet ring possibly linked to Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, along with gem-encrusted belts and coins bearing the names of four emperors.
The ship sank in the Adriatic Sea during the seventh or eighth century, a period when the Byzantine Empire was facing major political and economic challenges. Archaeologists say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into maritime activity and elite life during an era for which historical records remain limited.
