Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered off Sicily coast

Recent Italian divers have stumbled upon an ancient Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily, estimated to be over 2,000 years old. The vessel, discovered 46 meters (150 feet) below the surface, was filled with hundreds of well-preserved containers thought to have once transported goods like wine and olive oil. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years.

Specialist police divers were alerted to the wreck by fishermen and located the 21-meter (69 feet) long and 6-meter (20 feet) wide ship 150 feet below the Mediterranean sea. The wreckage, identified as dating back to the second or first century BC, was reportedly discovered by free-diver Giacomo De Mola while surveying the seabed near Mazara del Vallo. De Mola recounted the moment he realized the object he had spotted was not a rock, but hundreds of amphorae - the tall ceramic jars used to store ancient goods.

The discovery has left De Mola and the divers in awe, with De Mola expressing that it was "the most incredible discovery of my life" to see the site after nearly 20 centuries. Marine life, including eels and snappers, can be seen thriving around the jars, showcasing the sea's enduring mysteries.

The cultural heritage protection unit of Italy's police, Carabinieri Art Squad, has been deployed to the site for investigation. Safety measures will be implemented to protect the wreck during the examination process while experts work to determine its nature and uncover more about its cargo. Similar ancient wrecks have been found on the Mediterranean seabed; in 2023, another 1st or 2nd century BC vessel laden with amphorae was discovered northwest of Rome, and in 2018, a Greek merchant ship dating back over 2,400 years was found off the Bulgarian coast.