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Roman shipwreck discovery off Sicily

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2026-08-10 14:52 UTC → 2026-08-11 10:36 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A 2,000-year-old Roman shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, at a depth of approximately 46 meters. The vessel, estimated to date from the 2nd or 1st century BC, was located approximately three miles from the coast following tips from local spear fishermen Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli, who initially mistook the wreck for an underwater rock. The shipwreck measures roughly 21 meters in length and 6 meters in width. It contains a significant cargo of hundreds of well-preserved Dressel 1A amphorae, which were historically used to transport goods such as wine and olive oil. Divers also identified lead anchor stocks and other lead structures at the ~~site.~~ site, including a Neo-Punic amphora. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as ‘one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.’ Following the identification of the site by the Sicilian Regional Superintendency of the Sea and the Carabinieri cultural protection unit, authorities have initiated security measures to protect the remains. Researchers intend to use the site to conduct further studies into ancient Mediterranean trade routes and commercial exchanges during the Roman expansion.

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