Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered off Sicily coast
Italy's culture minister says it is one of the most important underwater archaeological finds in years.
An ancient Roman shipwreck, estimated to be over 2,000 years old, has been discovered by Italian divers off the coast of Sicily. The vessel was found laden with hundreds of well-preserved jars, which were used for transporting goods.
Italy's Culture Minister, Alessandro Giuli, lauded the find as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." Specialist police divers located the ship approximately 46 meters (150 feet) deep, following a tip-off from local fishermen. According to local media reports, the wreckage measures 21 meters (69 feet) in length and 6 meters (20 feet) in width. The culture ministry dates the ship to the 2nd or 1st Century BC.
Fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola recounted his discovery of the historic vessel while surveying the seabed near Mazara del Vallo. In a social media post, he explained that he decided to investigate after his scanner indicated what appeared to be a large rock. "I get closer. And my heart stops. It wasn't a rock," he wrote, describing instead hundreds of amphorae – tall ceramic jars used in ancient times for storing goods like wine, oil, or grain.
De Mola described the find as "without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life." He added, "It's hard to describe what it feels like to be among the first humans, in nearly 20 centuries, to see that place again." He shared a video of the wreck, showcasing eels, snappers, and "countless marine life" inhabiting the jars, remarking, "The sea never ceases to amaze us. This time we didn't just find a wreck, we found a piece of our history."
Divers from the Carabinieri Art Squad, a specialized unit of Italy's police dedicated to cultural heritage protection, were dispatched to the site. Officials have stated that safety measures will be implemented to protect the wreck during its investigation, as experts work to determine its nature and learn more about its cargo.
The Mediterranean seabed is believed to contain numerous similar ancient wrecks. In 2023, another vessel from the 1st or 2nd Century BC, also filled with hundreds of amphorae, was discovered north-west of Rome. In 2018, a Greek merchant ship dating back over 2,400 years was found lying on its side off the Bulgarian coast, hailed at the time as the world's oldest-known intact shipwreck.