Byzantine gold objects help archaeologists uncover past of ship wrecked off Croatia

MLJET, Croatia, July 23 : A Byzantine-era ship discovered more than a decade ago on the seabed off Croatia's southern coast was probably carrying a high-ranking person and his entourage, judging by the gold jewellery found in the wreckage, according to archaeologists.Announcing for the first time on Thursday the results of their years-long underwater excavation, they said the shipwreck could be dated to the 7th or 8th century and that the artefacts on board indicated that this was no ordinary merchant vessel.These included gold coins dating to the Heraclius dynasty of four emperors, buckles decorated with rubies, emeralds and pearls, and a golden signet ring with a picture of the emperor "that certainly wouldn't be worn by just anyone", Pavle Dugonjic, head of the Department of Underwater