Ancient shipwreck gives up dazzling treasures after more than 1,300 years underwater

The findings were formally presented by the Croatian Conservation Institute this summer after years of underwater excavation, Reuters reported.

Systematic 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.

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.

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.

"This is an impressive amount of gold," he told the outlet.

The Byzantine Empire, the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, lasted until 1453 and once controlled vast stretches of the eastern Mediterranean.

The shipwreck is among a number of significant Byzantine discoveries in recent years.

Reuters contributed reporting.