Ancient Roman shipwreck uncovered off Sicily
Divers found a 2,000-year-old Roman vessel with hundreds of amphorae near Sicily, prompting a cultural heritage investigation.
Divers working for Italy's Carabinieri Art Squad have located a Roman-era shipwreck about 46 metres below the surface off Sicily's coast. The wreck, measuring roughly 21 metres in length and 6 metres in width, contained hundreds of well-preserved amphorae that would have carried wine, olive oil and other commodities.
The discovery followed a tip from local fishermen and was confirmed when a diver's sonar scan revealed the cargo rather than a rock. The site is now being secured while archaeologists assess the vessel and its contents.
"This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life," the diver said in a social-media post, describing the moment he saw the jars.
Marine life, including eels and snapper, were observed among the artifacts. Officials indicated that safety measures will protect the wreck as investigations continue, adding that the find represents a significant addition to knowledge of ancient maritime trade.