The miraculous shipwreck in Arles

An exceptionally well-preserved antique Gallo-Roman barge was discovered in 2004 under the Rhône river at Arles. This shipwreck, which had been buried for two thousand years, was brought back to life as a result of funds allocated for cultural activities because Marseille-Provence was designated as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. After several expert assessments, surveys and excavations between 2005 and 2010 which confirmed the huge importance of the shipwreck, a significant budget was granted for its salvage, restoration and presentation to the general public, in a wing specially built at the Arles Museum of Antiquity. Since then, this ‘sleeping beauty’ shipwreck has been been a source of scientific discovery and progress. Scientists brought in to assist with operations discovered an exceptional object which has advanced methods and knowledge in numerous fields. Similarly, museum curators have been able to discover precious information about the ancient world. The Arles Museum of Antiquity has an extraordinary item in its possession which has changed the museum’s perspectives, not only expanding it physically, but also placing the museum in the world network of celebrated museums of antiquity.