Italian authorities have located a well-preserved ancient Roman vessel off the Sicilian coast, estimated to be over 2,000 years old and laden with hundreds of ceramic storage jars, marking what officials describe as a significant underwater discovery.
An ancient Roman shipwreck has been found in the Mediterranean Sea near Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, following a report from local fishermen. The vessel, located at a depth of approximately 46 metres, measures around 21 metres in length and 6 metres in width. According to Italy's Culture Ministry, the wreck dates from the second or first century BC.
The ship was discovered by free-diver Giacomo De Mola, who initially spotted what appeared to be a large formation on his sonar equipment while surveying the seabed. Upon investigation, he found the wreck densely packed with hundreds of amphorae—tall ceramic containers historically used to transport commodities including wine, olive oil, and grain. De Mola documented the discovery on social media, describing the experience as the most remarkable of his career and noting that marine life including eels and snappers now inhabit the ancient site.
Specialist divers from Italy's Carabinieri Art Squad, the country's cultural heritage protection unit, were deployed to the location to conduct further investigation. Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli characterised the find as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." Authorities have implemented safety protocols to protect the wreck while experts work to fully document and analyse the cargo and vessel structure.
The discovery adds to a growing catalogue of Roman-era shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. A similar vessel from the same period, also containing numerous amphorae, was identified northwest of Rome in 2023, and a Greek merchant ship dating back over 2,400 years was found off the Bulgarian coast in 2018.
