A COLLECTION OF ANCIENT ANCHORS IN ROGAČ AND MASLINICA  

The island of Šolta was first mentioned in historical sources as early as the 4th century BCE  by the famous Greek geographer Pseudo-Scylax. In his Periplus (from Ancient Greek περίπλους, “circumnavigation” or “sailing around”), which contains the earliest preserved description of the eastern Adriatic coast, he cites the island of Šolta under the name Olynthia. 
With the arrival of the Romans the island’s name is changed to Solentia, Solentium (from Latin sol, meaning Sun) from which its modern name derives. With regards to its geographic location, it is important to point out that Šolta used to occupy a place along ancient maritime trade routes leading to the cities of Salona, Aspalathos, Pharos and Issa. Along with these main routes, there also existed a robust network of coastal routes connecting the Roman villas in Rogač, Stipanska and Grohote with Salona and Aspalathos. Most of the material evidence testifying to the intensity of the maritime trade routes of the period are today located underwater. 
An underwater archaeological survey of the seabed in front of Maslinica on the island of Šolta led to the discovery of one lead and two stone ancient anchor stocks. Seeing as these extremely valuable and interesting archaeological finds were in danger due to their location and shallow depth, it was necessary to bring them up to the surface as soon as possible.  
Upon completion of the conservation and restoration process, the restored anchors were returned to the island of Šolta and publicly exhibited in the port of Rogač and the village of Maslinica. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Split-Dalmatia County, the Municipality of Šolta and the Ministry of Culture with the aim of preserving and exhibiting  the maritime heritage of the island of Šolta and further developing its tourism industry.