Visit-Montenegro.com: Within the sight but still out of reach
Model of the protection of treasure hoard in the depths of Boka: The US research team on the ship “Hercules” together with divers from the Regional Center for Training of Divers led by the archaeologist Vilma Kovacevic discovered two Roman galleys dating from the 3rd century AD and few amphorae localities in the maritime zone of Boka. This discovery raised the issue of development and protection of the epoch-making archaeological site.
Herceg Novi –The US research team on the ship “Hercules” together with divers from the Regional Center for Training of Divers led by the archaeologist Vilma Kovacevic discovered two Roman galleys dating from the 3rd century AD and few amphorae localities in the maritime zone of Boka. This discovery raised the issue of development and protection of the epoch-making archaeological site.
Attendees of the yesterday’s meeting in the diving center in Bijela, put the spotlight on this matter. The leader of the US research team, Dr Jeffrey G. Royal, was overwhelmed by Montenegro and especially by the discovery which is, according to him, significant not only to Montenegro but to the whole region as well.
He promises that his country will give support in protecting and preserving this precious discovery. He announces his comeback next year.
The Chairman of the Assembly of the Diving Association of Montenegro, Dragisa Koprivica, makes a strong plea to protect this site as soon as possible, since the worst solution is “to keep it away from the public and the sea lovers”.
The Head of the Regional Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Kotor, Ruzica Ivanovic, says that the priority is “to find models of both permanent and temporary protection of the site, until the expert analysis is over, since the procedure of preserving and developing underwater treasure hold is long-lasting and expensive process.”
Ivanovic points out that in Montenegro there is no any institution for underwater archaeological research.
In this sense, the General Manager of the Regional Center for Training of Divers – Vesko Mijajlovic appeals for establishment of such center which would manage valuable treasure in the sea depths.
The archaeologist from the Regional Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Kotor, Vilma Kovacevic, highlights that the site on the sea bed is intact and that beside scientific, it has salient importance in the process of “deciphering” the way of life of inhabitants of Boka under the Roman power.
By S.K.