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TU Clausthal Hits the Nail on the Head: An Ancient Roman Warship on the Danube

October 14, 2003

In August 2004, an ancient Roman galley some 20 metres in length, straight and slender as an arrow, will glide over the Danube with the rhythm of 30 oarsmen during the "River Celebration" in Regensburg. Thus, the "Regina" will be the world's first seaworthy and navigable replica of a Roman warship. This project, fostered by two experts in ancient history, Prof. Dr. Christoph Sch'¤fer, University of Hamburg, und Dr. Heinrich Konen, University of Regensburg, has also been rendered possible by the expertise of Privatdozent Dr. habil. Hans Ferkel at the Institute of Materials Science and Materials Engineering at the Technical University of Clausthal.

"Upon salvaging the remains of four Roman ships in Mainz a few years ago, the remains of the original nails were also found. During the past months, these nails have been examined by spectral analysis in our laboratory. Thus, the material composition has been determined to an accuracy of 1 atom per million", explains PD Dr. Ferkel. In order to reproduce the process by which the nails from Mainz were manufactured, the physical structure has also been determined by means of structural analyses. "This project is of particular interest to us", says Dr. Ferkel, "especially since we are usually concerned with the search for new materials."

For reconstructing the replica, a steel grade which corresponds as closely as possible to the historical alloy was selected. The 2800 nails and bolts required for constructing the ship were recently forged by hand at ASGE Rümenapp in Langelsheim in accordance with the specifications provided by the materials scientists in Clausthal.

"The help which we received from the materials scientists in Clausthal was of paramount importance for the success of our project, since it ensured that this aspect, too, really corresponds to the original", said Professor Sch'¤fer. "Precisely where our access to the historical sources was at an end, the results of the investigations performed by our partners in Clausthal provided a decisive impulse for continuing our work," he added.

The navis lusoria, more or less literally translated as 'dancing, playing ship', was originally intended for use as a pleasure boat on rivers and was evidently propelled by oarsmen. "As far as military operations are concerned, the use of these ships on the River Rhine was first mentioned during the second half of the third century. Especially during the fourth century, the ships gradually became established as a standard for the Roman river fleets on the Rhine and Danube", explains Dr. Heinrich Konen from the University of Regensburg. "The remains of four very slender oar-driven warships from the late fourth century discovered in Mainz are of the same type as the navis lusoria", says Professor Sch'¤fer. "As indicated by our calculations, this ship can attain a speed of up to 10 knots (about 18 km/h)."

"In the Roman records dating from that time, it is reported that warships of this type were in use on the Danube. For research in ancient history, practical testing and experience with the Lusoria are very useful. The test results can provide a clear impression of its performance capabilities and travelling properties", said Dr. Konen.

"The Technical University of Clausthal welcomed the opportunity to support the work of the historians", said PD Dr. Ferkel.

Clausthal, Technische Universitaet