Why do not we understand what the preservatives have been used?
Story:

One of the best preserved shipwrecks ever found has been discovered off the Italian coast.
Divers say they have found a ship off the coast of Italy which they believe is about 2,000 years old.
The ship, which was spotted in the sea off the town on Varazze in the province of Liguria, is thought to be a Roman-era commercial vessel.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2185958/2-000-year-old-shipwreck-discovered-Italy-preserved-FOOD-intact.html#ixzz236qjUsgY
THE ROMAN MENU
The ship was found to be carrying over 200 pots containing food.
Initial tests have found pickled fish, which was often used to create a sauce called garum.
Garum was a popular staple of menus for wealthly Romans, made from fermented fish and served as a side dish to meals.
It was created by placing fatty fish such as sardines along with fish guts and blood into a large container with herbs and layers of salt.
The container was then left in the sun for several days, before being mixed ever day for around 20 days, until it became a liquid.
Other foodstuffs found in the pots include wine, oil and grain.
Related articles
- Divers discover 2,000-year-old Roman shipwreck that is so well preserved even the FOOD is intact (coralvillecourier.typepad.com)

My husband uses a spice called Garum masala. He’s Indian. Fascinating post!