Since 2019 maritime archaeologists exploring the sea floor below an offshore wind farm in the North Sea have discovered many ancient artifacts. Now, what is believed to be a rare Roman anchor has been recovered that would have likely once belonged to The Classis Britannica, the Roman navy for the invasion and then defense of Britain.
Weighing 100 kilograms (220 pounds) the iron anchor measures more than two meters (6.5 feet) in length, and was discovered when survey works were undertaken at the proposed site for the new Scottish Power Renewables’ East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm. Although the researchers are convinced it dates to the Roman occupation of Britain between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago, further tests are needed to confirm this.
The North Sea Roman Anchor: A Rare Piece Of History
The Roman anchor was first identified in 2018 at a depth of roughly 42 meters (140 feet) in the southern North Sea, about 22 miles (36 kilometers) off the Norfolk and Suffolk. According to a BBC report last year, Brandon Mason of Maritime Archaeology Ltd controlled the recovery mission from an offshore support vessel. Mason describes the Roman anchor as “an incredibly rare piece of history.”
