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of which was capped at 100 denarii per Roman foot in Diocletian’s Edict (A.D. 301). 100
Due to the rocky seafloor, it is unlikely that any remains of the merchantman itself
survive beneath the column shafts.
Table 4. Dimensions and tonnage of the column shafts from Capo Cimiti,
in meters and Roman feet.
The Capo Bianco Shipwreck
The Capo Bianco shipwreck probably represents a small navis lapidaria, which
was carrying marbles of three different colors: white, black, and red. 101 L. Cantafora
reported the wreck’s existence in 1991, and Aquarius’ subsequent excavation lasted
from September 6 to September 14 of the same year.
The site is composed of approximately 65 small column shafts and blocks lying
at a depth of 3.5 - 6 m., spread across an area of ca. 14 m x 18 m. Aquarius took partial
measurements of 47 blocks and shafts, which are presented in Table 5. A Late Roman 2
amphora (Keay LXV) dates the shipwreck to the fifth or sixth century A.D. 102
100 Pensabene 1978a, 105; Giacchero 1974, 305-6. See Appendix 4 for more information regarding the
prices of marbles mentioned in Diocletian’s Edict.
101 Freschi 1991, 8-13, 19-20.
102 Freschi 1991, 11.
Column Length Length Diameter Diameter Volume
# (m) (R.ft.) (m) (R.ft.) (m 3 Tons
)
1 8.50 28 ¾ 0.90 3 5.40 13.85
2 8.90 30 1.00 3 ½ 6.99 17.91
3 8.60 29 1.03 3 ½ 7.16 18.35
4 8.80 29 ¾ 1.00 3 ½ 6.91 17.71
5 2.90 9 ¾ 0.47 1 ½ 0.50 1.29
Total 69.11
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