Lake Nemi Roman Ship Reconstruction Project

On the 23 March 1996 a public meeting was held at the ship museum at the side of Lake Nemi in the Castelli Romani, about 30 km to the southeast of Rome. The proposal is to reconstruct a fully functional sailing replica of the ship that was brought to the surface and on to dry land earlier this century and housed in the present museum. Unfortunately the ships (there were two, though of differing designs) were completely destroyed by fire during the II World War.
The original ships were brought out of the water of the lake between 1929 and 1932 and housed in the museum mentioned above which was specially constructed for the ships. The size and shape of the two ships were nothing if not impressive.

• Photograph of the ship when brought out of the lake in the 1930s - 43 KB jpeg image
  
  
• As above - 145 KB gif image
  
  
• Scale model built by the Italian Navy - 60 KB jpeg image
  
  
• As above - 145 KB gif image

• The Engineering Project & Archaeology

  
  

  • Overview of the work given by Guido Ucelli's son
    
    
  • Previous attempts at recovery of the wrecks.
    
    
  • Draining the lake.
    
    
  • The emergence of the ships - Now with full text translated from the original study.
    
    1. Prima Nave
    2. Prima Nave
    3. Seconda Nave
    
    
  • Removal and transport of the ships
    
    
  • Preservation of the hulls
    
    
  • British Council talk given on 16 May 2000
  
  
  
• Images and artifacts
  
  
  • Excavation of the area in general.
  • Photo essay d' epoca
    
  • Bronzes
    
  • Tiller head
    
  • Bronze of Medusa
    
  • Mosaics and inscriptions
    
  • Chart of lake where ships were found
    
  • Original anchor
    
  • Modern copy of the anchor
    
  • The destruction
    
    

  
  
  
  
  

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  For further information concerning the association Dianae Lacus contact webmaster
  
  Detailed information about the Castelli Romani available on-line from " Il Giornale Locale." (in Italian)
  

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  Last revised 10/04/01 Copyright © J.Purtell 1997

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