Dutch university students and a professor have unearthed a rare second century Roman ship during excavations at Zwammerdam, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the Hague. They also found the remains of two Roman forts nearby -- one built of wood in about 70 A.D., and the other made of stone, from about the third century.

The ship, 71 feet long (about 23 metres), is the first-ever found in Holland, and is in good condition. The find has aroused international interest, and an official from a German shipping museum visited the site to inspect in on Tuesday (November 28).