Archaeologists examining an ancient shipwreck recently revealed a trove of gold — and evidence that a wealthy and powerful passenger and his entourage may have been aboard.The findings were formally presented by the Croatian Conservation Institute this summer after years of underwater excavation, Reuters reported.The ship dates to the late 7th or early 8th century A.D., and was discovered on the seabed near the Croatian island of Mljet more than a decade ago.ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH SECRET CHURCH TIED TO COUNCIL OF NICAEA, CHRISTIANITY'S DEFINING MOMENTSystematic underwater excavations of the site have been underway since 2015.Pictures released by officials show a dazzling collection of jewelry — including an elaborate piece studded with pearls and a green gemstone.Archaeologists examining an ancient shipwreck near Croatia's island of Mljet uncovered a dazzling array of coins and jewelry. (Reuters/Antonio Bronic)The buckles, decorated with rubies, emeralds and pearls, along with a golden signet ring, suggested the ship was carrying someone of considerable status.The ring, in particular, "certainly wouldn't be worn by just anyone," Pavle Dugonjic, head of the Department of Underwater Archaeology at the Croatian Conservation Institute, told Reuters.AUTHOR DINESH D'SOUZA CHALLENGES BIBLE SKEPTICS WITH 'STARTLING' ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIESThe wreck also contained gold coins issued by four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire during the 7th and 8th centuries.The more than 1.3 pounds of gold represents the largest amount ever recovered from a shipwreck in the Mediterranean, according to Igor Miholjek, head of research at the Croatian Conservation Institute, per Reuters.The Croatian Conservation Institute formally presented findings from the ancient shipwreck excavation on July 23 after years of work.(Reuters/Antonio Bronic)"This is an impressive amount of gold," he told the outlet.It's "the largest ever found on a shipwreck in th...