Ancient Roman Shipwreck With Hundreds Of Amphorae Discovered Off Sicily
A Roman shipwreck over 2,100 years old with some 500 amphorae has been found off the coast of Sicily, Italy’s heritage police said.
A Roman shipwreck over 2,100 years old has been located off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, Italy, about five kilometers offshore and at a depth of 46 meters, with a cargo of around 500 amphorae. The discovery was investigated by specialists and divers from the Italian authorities after local fishermen reported archaeological remains on the seabed.
The vessel, dating from between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, is approximately 21 meters long and six meters wide. Hundreds of ceramic containers were identified at the site, mainly Dressel 1A amphorae, used during the Roman era to transport goods such as wine along Mediterranean trade routes.
The ship's remains lie on the seabed along with much of its cargo. Italian authorities plan to continue investigations to more precisely establish the date of the shipwreck, determine the origin and destination of the goods, and study the vessel's structure.
Italy's Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, emphasized the importance of the discovery for the study of ancient maritime and trade routes in the Mediterranean. Authorities are also working on measures to protect the underwater archaeological site while the investigations continue.
