Carabinieri confirm discovery of ancient Roman shipwreck off Sicily

Specialist police divers from the Carabinieri Art Squad have confirmed the discovery of an ancient Roman shipwreck lying approximately 46 metres beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel was located off the coast of Sicily, near the town of Mazara del Vallo, and is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old, dating from the first or second century BC.

The wreck, which measures 21 metres in length and 6 metres in width, was identified following a tip-off from local fishermen. Free-diver Giacomo De Mola initially reported the site after scanning the seabed and mistaking the structure for a large rock. Upon closer inspection, De Mola identified hundreds of well-preserved amphorae, the ceramic jars historically used for the transport of wine, olive oil, and grain.

Italy’s Culture Minister, Alessandro Giuli, has characterised the discovery as one of the most important underwater archaeological finds in recent years. The Culture Ministry has stated that safety measures are being implemented to protect the site while experts conduct further investigations to determine the precise nature of the wreck and its cargo.

De Mola, who documented the scene with video footage, described the experience of encountering the site as unprecedented. He noted the presence of marine life, including eels and snappers, inhabiting the jars, and emphasised the historical significance of uncovering a vessel that has remained undisturbed for nearly two millennia.

The Mediterranean seabed is known to contain numerous ancient maritime remains. A similar vessel from the same period, also laden with amphorae, was discovered north-west of Rome in 2023. In 2018, a Greek merchant ship dating back more than 2,400 years was found off the Bulgarian coast, previously holding the distinction of the world’s oldest-known intact shipwreck.