18th-Century Shipwreck Discovered at Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Site

An 18th-century shipwreck was accidentally discovered in April by Ivan Bukelic, a diver and undersea builder, while working on a water pipeline near the old port of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The wooden vessel was found buried 60 to 80 centimeters beneath the seabed close to the city’s medieval stone walls, a UNESCO-protected heritage site known for its historical significance and as a filming location for HBO's Game of Thrones. Marine archaeologist Irena Radić Rossi confirmed through radiocarbon analysis that the ship dates to the late 18th century, though further details about the vessel's type and dimensions remain unknown. The Croatian Ministry of Culture is cooperating to protect and continue research on the shipwreck for future preservation. This discovery highlights Dubrovnik's rich maritime history as a key Adriatic trade port and comes shortly after a separate chance finding of a 16th-century merchant ship off the coast of southern France. Authorities emphasize the need to safeguard such archaeological finds amidst the pressures of mass tourism in Dubrovnik.