In Pliny the Elder’s Natural History , the Roman scholar described how the Empire used a unique organic mixture to keep boats waterproof. By tracking something atypical from a 2,200-year-old shipwreck, researchers confirmed this is not just true, but that Roman shipbuilders also likely kept refurbishing their ships during their journeys.

A Frontiers in Materials study published today describes how studying trapped pollen from the Roman shipwreck, designated Ilovik-Paržine 1 , revealed the composition and origin of waterproof coating materials. As organic matter easily degrades over time, it was difficult for naval archaeologists to grasp a full understanding of ancient shipbuilding techniques.…