A Roman cargo has become the focus of an ongoing underwater archaeological excavation in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Hundreds of objects, the last remaining evidence of a now-vanished Roman shipwreck, have been identified, documented, and subsequently removed from the lakebed.
The richness and diversity of this collection, preserved in excellent condition, make the discovery exceptional and unique within Switzerland and in the inland waters north of the Alps. The site offers a rare and well-preserved snapshot of Roman transport and trade in a freshwater environment.
The cargo was discovered through aerial photography in November 2024, as part of an ongoing programme to monitor the condition of the lakebed and submerged heritage, led by the Neuchâtel Cantonal Archaeology Office (OARC). This was followed by exploratory dives and an initial excavation campaign in March 2025, aimed at assessing the site’s potential and the challenges it presents, particularly in terms of heritage preservation. These early investigations confirmed both the scale of the find and its archaeological significance.
Such operations are now necessary to protect the cargo in the short term. Although the objects are in excellent condition, they remain extremely fragile and are exposed to several destructive factors, including lakebed erosion, anchoring by pleasure boats offshore, and, most significantly, acts of vandalism and looting. Natural sediment movement and changing water conditions may also contribute to gradual deterioration. As a preventative measure to reduce these risks, the most vulnerable objects have been systematically documented and removed.
The cargo is both rich and varied, consisting primarily of several hundred ceramic vessels, remarkably preserved at the bottom of the lake. These include tableware items—dishes, plates, cups and bowls—produced regionally across the Swiss Plateau. Amphorae used to transport olive oil, imported from Spain, attest to the long-distance trade networks of the Roman period. These commercial goods were accompanied by utensils and tools, offering insight into the daily lives of the boatmen and the organisation of transport activities.
Elements of harnesses and chariots were also discovered, including wheels in a remarkable state of preservation—the only Roman examples of their kind found in Switzerland. These finds demonstrate the use of a dual transport system, combining land and lake routes. Finally, the presence of weapons, including swords, suggests that the shipwreck, which occurred between AD 20 and 50, involved a civilian merchant vessel travelling under military escort.
The richness, diversity and excellent preservation of the cargo provide an invaluable source of information, opening new avenues for research into trade networks, technical expertise, ceramic production workshops, and the distribution of manufactured goods. Beyond specialist study, it will be important to share the results of this significant discovery with a wider audience, particularly through exhibition at the Laténium, the archaeology park and museum of Neuchâtel.
Before this can take place, however, all artefacts must undergo a meticulous process of handling, conservation and restoration—an essential step to ensure their long-term preservation and to guarantee conditions suitable for public display.
Header Image Credit : Octopus Foundation
Sources : Canton of Neuchâtel
