Ancient Naval Ram Casting Project

Description:

New project related publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440325000664

Recent news report: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2476277-bronze-naval-ram-from-roman-battle-recreated-using-ancient-techniques/

From 2021 to 2023, I was the lead in an experimental archaeology project in recreating a full-scale bronze naval ram based on the closest (and known) ancient methods. The project consisted of building the front of a warship, pitching the bow, building the entire ram model in beeswax, and then lost-wax casting the model. This is the first bronze naval ram cast in over 1,500 years and the only naval ram outside the Mediterranean basin. This reconstruction can better inform us about the time, manpower, and materials needed to create ancient naval rams as well as the socioeconomic implications of building ancient navies.

“’This research can help us understand the evolution of major warships, from the fleets of Alexander the Great’s successors to the vessels that secured Rome’s naval dominance,’ says Stephen DeCasien at Dalian University of Technology in China.”

– New Scientist. April 11, 2025.

Location:

Texas A&M University

Project Advisors:

Dr. Stephen DeCasien, Dr. Christopher Dostal, and Glenn Grieco

Date:

Fall 2021 to Spring 2023

News Links:

https://muyinteresante.okdiario.com/historia/primera-reproduccion-fiel-espolon-nave-guerra-antiguedad-grecorromana-1500-anos.html

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2476277-bronze-naval-ram-from-roman-battle-recreated-using-ancient-techniques/

https://grad.tamu.edu/aggie-life/news/grad-student-explores-ancient-warfare-with-naval-ram-project

https://techno.nv.ua/ukr/popscience/starodavniy-morskiy-taran-50301768.html