Marine archaeologists have located the remains of a merchant ship belonging to the Kingdom of Aksum at a depth of 60 meters off the coast of modern-day Eritrea. The vessel, dating to the late 4th century CE, provides the first direct physical evidence of the 'Erythraean Sea' trade route that linked the Horn of Africa with the Roman Mediterranean and the Malabar Coast of India.
The shipwreck is exceptionally well-preserved due to the low-oxygen environment at the seabed. Divers and ROVs have recovered amphorae containing solidified resin (frankincense), charred peppercorns, and several intact bowls of Roman millefiori glass. The ship's construction uses a hybrid technique, combining Aksumite 'stitched' planking with Roman-style mortise-and-tenon joints.
- Numismatic Find: A hoard of gold coins featuring the Aksumite King Ezana confirms the date and the kingdom's economic prosperity.
- Indian Connectivity: Several teak planks used in the hull repairs have been identified as originating from the Western Ghats of India.
- Global Trade Hub: The diversity of the cargo suggests the Aksumites acted as primary intermediaries between the Silk Road of the sea and the Roman Empire.