Exceptional Roman cargo shipwreck found in Lake Neuchatel

"The wreck sank between 20 and 50 A.D., and while the remains of the vessel itself are long gone, the site contains an exceptional diversity and quantity of artifacts, approximately 600 of them, many found intact."

"The Neuchatel Cantonal Archaeology Office first spotted the wreck in a drone photography survey of the lake in November 2024, part of a project to monitor the lakebed's vulnerable wrecks."

"Several significant artifacts were discovered outside of the perimeter, including wooden and metal chariot wheels that are the only ones ever found in Switzerland."

"Conservators developed a protocol to stabilize the recovered objects, keeping them in demineralized water baths at the same temperature as the lake they came from, and then drying them gradually."

The remains of a Roman vessel were found in Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, containing around 600 artifacts, many intact. The wreck, which sank between 20 and 50 A.D., was first identified in November 2024 during a drone survey. An exploratory dive confirmed a large cargo of ceramics, with artifacts radiocarbon dated between 50 B.C. and 50 A.D. Excavations began in March 2025, revealing significant finds, including unique wooden and metal chariot wheels. The site is monitored to protect the artifacts, with ongoing excavations aimed at detailed documentation.

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