Desilo

Desilo is an underwater archaeological site in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, located near the Neretva river and the Croatian border [1]. Investigations led by Professor Snjezana Vasilj of the University of Mostar and her archaeological team, uncovered in 2007 many sunken boats at the bottom of the small lake in Desilo valley [1]. The archaeologists believe these boats to be Illyrian ships, dating back to the first and second centuries B.C. Further excavations in 2008 by University of Oslo archaeologists found evidence suggesting that Desilo was an Illyrian trading post [1]. The underwater archaeological site of Desilo was first discovered and recorded officially in 1972 [1]. The ships were covered with fragments of amphorae, Roman pitchers for holding wine [1]. Lindhagen and Prusac discovered the remains of a harbour buried in the river bed [1]. A polygonal wall 20 metres in length and 60 centimetres in width appeared solidly built [1]. Prusac and Lindhagen found an Illyrian settlement about a hundred metres from the harbour site [1].