Italy, Greece find hundreds of amphorae buried with ancient shipwrecks on Mediterranean sea floor

In the depths of the Mediterranean, two ancient shipwrecks were recently discovered, shedding light on trade routes of antiquity. The first wreck was found near the island of Andros in Greece by officials from the Greek Culture Ministry's Underwater Antiquities unit. The ship, situated at a depth of 39 to 44 meters, was reported by a private individual who alerted Greek authorities to the presence of archaeological artifacts in the area.

Over 600 to 650 commercial pointed-bottom amphorae, dating back to the late fifth and early fourth centuries BCE, were discovered alongside the ship's remains. Among the amphorae, archaeologists identified three types: Mende, Peparethos, and Solokha 2. Mende amphorae were made in ancient Greek city of Mende, Peparethos amphorae came from the island of Skopelos, and Solokha 2 may indicate connections between the Black Sea and Greece. An anchor stock and several stones possibly part of the ship's ballast were also found.

In August, Italy's Culture Ministry revealed the discovery of a 2,100-year-old Roman-era shipwreck off Sicily's coast. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." Upon the discovery, underwater fisherman Giacomo De Mola noted the breathtaking moment he realized the wreckage: "Hundreds of amphorae that had remained on the seabed for over 2,000 years.

A Roman ship asleep in the silence of the Mediterranean." The wreck, located at a depth of around 46 meters, contained Dressel 1A type amphorae, lead anchor stocks, and other artifacts. A 3D survey of the wreck was conducted, revealing a wealth of historical insights.