Museo Archeologico Nave Punica–Baglio Anselmi
A former wine warehouse (baglio) houses gold jewelry from ancient Mozia, as well as the museum’s showpiece, a relatively well-preserved Punic ship (Punic being the Latin name for Carthage, the ancient kingdom in what is today’s Tunisia). It’s believed the ship, discovered in shallow waters in 1971, was constructed for the Battle of the Egadi Islands during the First Punic Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians in 241 b.c. and sank on its maiden voyage; some scholars argue that the vessel was not a warship but was used to carry cargo. Measuring 35m (115 ft.) long, the ship was manned by 68 oarsmen. Large sections remain, enough to suggest the sleekness and power of the wooden shell covered with sheets of lead fixed with bronze nails. They are on display along with bowls, plates, animal bones, cannabis leaves, and other material carried on board. Behind the museum (included with admission) are the excavations of ancient Lilybaeum, as Marsala was known in Roman times. Among the relics are the remains of a villa with a steam room and still-glittering mosaics.
A former wine warehouse (baglio) houses gold jewelry from ancient Mozia, as well as the museum’s showpiece, a relatively well-preserved Punic ship (Punic being the Latin name for Carthage, the ancient kingdom in what is today’s Tunisia). It’s believed the ship, discovered in shallow waters in 1971, was constructed for the Battle of the Egadi Islands during the First Punic Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians in 241 b.c. and sank on its maiden voyage; some scholars argue that the vessel was not a warship but was used to carry cargo. Measuring 35m (115 ft.) long, the ship was manned by 68 oarsmen. Large sections remain, enough to suggest the sleekness and power of the wooden shell covered with sheets of lead fixed with bronze nails. They are on display along with bowls, plates, animal bones, cannabis leaves, and other material carried on board. Behind the museum (included with admission) are the excavations of ancient Lilybaeum, as Marsala was known in Roman times. Among the relics are the remains of a villa with a steam room and still-glittering mosaics.
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