César 1, late 6th century BC
Country: France
Place: Place Villeneuve-Bargemon, near the Vieux Port, Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône); land excavation in the ancient harbour deposits
Coordinates (approximate): 43.30, 5.37
Type: Small Greek (Massaliote) coastal boat
Identified: No
Dated: End of the 6th century BC.
Beam: Unknown.
Keel Length: Unknown.
Length Overall: Unknown.
Number of Masts: Unknown.
History of the wreck
During the archaeological excavations around the Vieux Port of Marseille at the beginning of the 1990s, at Villeneuve-Bargemon, part of the bottom of a boat was found.
The most significant aspect of the César 1 wreck is that it provides evidence, at the end of the 6th century BC, of construction by punicana coagmenta in a coastal boat of the same characteristics as the Jules Verne 9, but built following the techniques documented in the coaster Jules Verne 7. The adoption of a new assembly technique (mortise and tenon) from the mid-6th century BC in the Ionian-Massaliote cultural context seems to respond above all to the greater durability of punicana coagmenta compared with sewing, while also allowing new hull lines, as well as larger dimensions and burden, to be developed. This argument would be demonstrated by the appearance of the Jules Verne 7. The César 1, however, of modest dimensions, also serves to argue that the mortise-tenon-peg technique quickly replaced lashing and sewing in all types of ships of Greek cultural attribution.
Description of the site
The remains, measuring 6.10 × 0.90 m, were divided into two groups by a small trench.
Cargo
Not reported.
Ballast
Not reported.
Anchors
Not reported.
Guns
Not applicable.
Iron concretions
Not reported.
Hull Remains
Part of the bottom of a boat, 6.10 × 0.90 m, was preserved: the keel with one of its end posts, five planking strakes and two fragments of very deteriorated frames.
Keel, keelson and mast step
The keel was joined to its two end posts, stem and sternpost, by a trait de Jupiter (rayo de Júpiter) scarf, oriented so that the locking key was inserted through the upper face of the keel, that is vertically. One of them (stem or sternpost; it cannot be determined which) was still attached to the keel.
Frames
Two fragments of very deteriorated frames were fastened to the hull by nails. In appearance the frames resemble those of the Jules Verne 9 wreck, but their shapes, dimensions and construction technique matched those of the Jules Verne 7 wreck. The frames were fastened to the hull by nails, with no lashings at all.
Planking
Five planking strakes were preserved, the garboard strake having a complex end. All the strakes are assembled by mortises and tenons locked by pegs. In Pomey’s opinion (2001: 430), the density of tenons in the hull is not very high.
Ceiling, thick stuff, and wales
Not preserved.
Caulking
Not reported.
Size and scantlings
A coastal boat of modest dimensions; no measurements of the timbers are reported.
Wood
Not reported.
Bibliography
Pomey, P. 2001. Les épaves grecques archaïques du VIe siècle av. J.-C. de Marseille. In H. Tzalas (ed.), Tropis VI. 6th International Symposium on Ship Construction in Antiquity, Lamia 1996, 429–431. Athens.