Italian specialist divers have documented an ancient Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily near Mazara del Vallo, the culture ministry announced. The vessel rests at a depth of about 46 metres and measures roughly 21 metres long by 6 metres wide.
The discovery followed a tip from fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola, who noticed an unusual formation on his scanner and investigated. He reported seeing hundreds of amphorae, the tall ceramic jars used in antiquity to transport wine, olive oil and grain.
Divers from the Carabinieri Art Squad, the cultural heritage protection unit of Italy's national police, conducted the official survey. They confirmed the wreck is piled high with well-preserved containers, many still in their original stowage positions.
The culture ministry dates the ship to the second or first century BC. Minister Alessandro Giuli described it as one of the most important underwater archaeological finds of recent years.
Officials have placed the site under protection while experts analyse the cargo and hull structure to determine the vessel's origin, route and the precise nature of its contents.
The Mediterranean seabed is known to hold numerous wrecks from this period. A similar Roman merchant ship laden with amphorae was found north-west of Rome in 2023, and a Greek vessel dating back more than 2,400 years was located off Bulgaria in 2018.
Marine life including eels and snappers now inhabits the wreck, which has formed an artificial reef over the centuries. De Mola noted the site had not been seen by humans for nearly 20 centuries.
Researchers plan to study the amphorae shapes, clay composition and any residual traces to reconstruct trade patterns between Sicily and other Mediterranean ports during the late Republican era.
Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered off Sicily coast
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