Molunat 2 Wreck

A mound of mud-sand lying approximately 1.6 km offshore is oriented on a distinctly SE-NW axis; material extends from one end of the site to the other. At the SE end of the site there are at least three large iron anchors that lie in opposite directions next to one another. The pattern has the appearance of anchors stowed on deck. Considering the material observed on the surface of the site, some preliminary hypotheses are possible for the provenience of the wrecksite. The presence of the small wrought-iron swivel guns places the wreck likely in the 16th century or later. By the late-15th century merchantmen in the Mediterranean were arming their vessels with wrought-iron swivel guns; this trend continued to become a common practice in the 16th century in light of the increased dangers of operating on a competitive and hostile sea. Taken as a whole, this vessel probably operated in the 16th century. At this time the Republic of Ragusa was a vibrant maritime trading center, which conducted trade throughout the Mediterranean and flourished particularly in the 16th century. Hence, a cultural association for the Molunat 2 wreck of Venetian (or another Italian maritime city) or possibly Spanish is possible.