Roman shipwreck with 500 amphorae found off coast of Sicily
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 amphorae was discovered 3 miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily at a depth of 46 meters, with the cargo mainly consisting of Dressel 1A amphorae used to transport wine.
- Italy’s cultural heritage police, the Carabinieri, investigated the site following a tip-off from fishers, and divers described the discovery as one of the most incredible of their lives, highlighting its archaeological significance.
- The wreck, measuring approximately 21 meters long and 6 meters wide, has been called “one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years” by Italy’s culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, as it sheds light on ancient Mediterranean trade routes.
- Further scientific documentation and research are planned to determine the wreck’s precise date, cargo origins, destination, and preservation measures to protect the site, which is considered exceptionally significant.
- This discovery adds to a series of important Roman shipwrecks found in Italian waters, with Sicily’s seabed being a rich area for underwater archaeology due to its strategic location on ancient maritime routes.
