1st century BC-1st century AD. A complete terracotta tile excavated from the wreck of a Roman trade ship, having been made by Legio XIII Gemina and impressed with their stamp 'L XIII', the 13th legion having been formed by Julius Caesar in 57 BC. Cf. Lendering. 1 kg, 24 x 11.5cm (9 1/2 x 4 1/4"). Property of a UK gentleman since 2010; previously excavated in the Mediterranean, south of France, in 1980, from a depth of 44 meters; accompanied by a copy of the archaeological report, including a drawing of the wreck site and various underwater images, this tile having been removed from an area identified as 'D7 XII' on the accompanying site ground-plan. The 13th legion famously crossed the Rubicon with Julius Caesar in 49 BC, having followed him on campaigns in northern France against the Celtic Belgae. It fought at the Siege of Gergovia in 52 BC, and probably at the Battle of Alesia. It subsequently served in eastern Europe in Pannonia and Dacia. The wreck from which the tile was taken was of a trade ship carrying bricks, paving tiles, roof-tiles and amphora, some of which were made by the 13th legion and bear the recessed stamp 'L*XIII'. The cargo was discovered in situ and carefully excavated by divers in 1980; the site was around 28 metres in length but only 5 metres across, much of the cargo still being in its original loading stacks. The cargo deposit was large, suggesting that the carrying vessel had been of considerable size and that the sinking did not dislodge much of the cargo, although subsequent action of the water and vegetation has disturbed its layout.

Fine condition, with some marine encrustation. Very rare.