Italian authorities have confirmed the discovery of a Roman shipwreck dating to between the second and first centuries BC off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in western Sicily. The vessel lies 46 metres below the surface and contains hundreds of intact amphorae, the ceramic jars used throughout the ancient Mediterranean to transport wine, oil and other goods.
Private divers made the initial find
The wreck was first reported by private citizens, specifically divers Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli, who encountered the site during a survey dive. De Mola described the moment on social media: visibility was poor, but as he approached the seabed he found a vast expanse of amphorae stacked in a mound approximately 21 metres long, six metres wide and nearly two metres high.
"A Roman ship asleep in the silence of the Mediterranean," De Mola wrote. "When I resurface, I say to Igor, 'You can't imagine what's down there...' This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life."
The Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage announced the find in a news release, noting the presence of two lead anchor stocks and a lead structure alongside the cargo. Italy's culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, congratulated the examination teams in an Instagram post, calling the wreck "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years."
Sicily's role in ancient trade
"The sea continues to bring us precious evidence of our history," Giuli wrote. "This wreck tells the story of the men, routes, and exchanges that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations."
Sicily occupied a central position in Roman maritime commerce, linking Italy with Spain, Greece and North Africa. The Superintendence of the Sea will conduct further documentation and investigation to establish a more precise date, determine the origin and destination of the cargo, and study the vessel's construction. Initial 3D imaging has been completed, but the wreck and much of its cargo remain on the seabed.
The last Roman vessel discovered in the region was found in July 2021 off Palermo at a depth of 92 metres, also carrying a cargo of wine amphorae.
Based on reporting by Global News.