Boat exhibit opening at Herculaneum

Next Thursday 16th July 2009 at midday there will be the inauguration of Herculaneum's new "Boat Exhibit".

This exhibit will then be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-17.00. Groups will have to be limited to 20 at a time.

The small exhibition space contains not only the carbonized wooden boat found on the ancient shoreline, but also includes a series of finds related to the sea: oars, a decorated prow, fishing nets and hooks, boat winches, etc.

Sites panels are in both Italian and English and discuss: the excavation on the ancient shoreline, the discovery of the skeletons, the discovery of the boat, ancient Herculaneum and its connection to the sea, fishing in the Roman period, etc. Visitors will receive a small leaflet (again in Italian and English) with short texts on the boat and on maritime activities at Herculaneum.

This is a really fun and interesting addition to your visit to Herculaneum. We're hoping to be able to make the site panels available as pdfs online as there is so little published on these themes, but this is taking a little bit of time to organise - I'll keep you posted!