Two military ships of the Roman Rhine flotilla, reproduced true to the original, are the heart of the Museum of Ancient Shipping in Mainz. The replieas, together with the original finds, show what military ships looked like in late Antiquity, with which the German border areas were closely observed from rivers. A total of five ships were recovered as a spectacular find from the former Roman harbor area during construetions works in 1981. Also on display are the remains of a eargo vessel, that was found a little later in the vieinity of the late Roman ships and dates from the end of the 1st century after Christ.

The staff restored fragments of the ships, putting them together again in the museum workshop. Visitors can watch the restorers and model builders at work through windows looking into the workshop, thus obtaining an unusually fascinating insight into their work. The exhibition is eomplemented by information on aneient shipbuilding. In addition, explanations are given on how a Roman fleet was organised and what duties it had to perform.

Address
Museum of Ancient Shipping
Neutorstraße 2b,
55116 Mainz
Tel. +49 (0) 63-28663-0
Fax +49 (0) 63-28663-24
boekius[at]mufas.de
www.rgzm.de/navis
www.rgzm.de