In brief
Italian divers have discovered a Roman cargo ship wreck off Sicily’s coast, dating back to the 1st‑2nd centuries BC. The vessel lies 46 m beneath the waves, its hull crowded with hundreds of amphorae used to transport wine, olive oil and grain. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the site as one of the most significant underwater discoveries in recent years. The find promises fresh insight into Roman maritime commerce and the spread of goods across the Mediterranean.
Italian divers have uncovered a shipwreck off the coast of Sicily that dates back to the second or first century BC. The bulk of the vessel is filled with well‑preserved amphorae—ceramic jars that carried wine, olive oil and grain—to the delight of marine archaeologists.
The wreck is located 46 m (150 ft) below the surface, its hull measuring 21 m (69 ft) long and 6 m (20 ft) wide. Helicopter‑sponsored and anchored by fishermen’s tip‐off, the site reveals a remarkable stash of intact amphorae, many still sealed and ripe for study.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called the discovery “one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.” He underscored the potential of the cargo to provide fresh insights into trade networks surrounding the Mediterranean basin.
The initial find was made by free‑diver Giacomo De Mola near Mazara del Vallo. He described the moment as “I get closer, and my heart stops—he wasn’t a rock.” In a video he posted to social media, De Mola showed countless snappers and eels weaving through the amphorae, adding a kaleidoscope of living life to the ancient wreck.
"This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life," he told viewers. “It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be among the first humans, in nearly 20 centuries, to see that place again.”
In response to the find, the Carabinieri Art Squad, Italy’s police unit dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage, has deployed a specialist team to secure the wreck for further research.
Experts are working to catalog the remaining amphorae, determine their contents, and trace the vessel’s origin. Initial reports suggest a Roman merchant ship, likely part of the broader commerce that linked Rome to distant provinces such as Gaul and Africa.
The Mediterranean seabed is known for containing similar ancient wrecks. Another 1st‑2nd century BC vessel was found north‑west of Rome in 2023, also laden with amphorae. In 2018, a Greek merchant ship dating back over 2,400 years was discovered off the Bulgarian coast, hailed as the world’s oldest intact wreck.
