- Fishermen Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli discovered a 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 amphorae off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily.
- The wreck was found at a depth of about 46 metres (151ft) and was carrying ancient two-handled ceramic jars, thought to have been used mainly to transport wine.
- The Carabinieri confirmed that the wreck dates back to between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.
- Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the discovery as one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.
- The amphorae found are mostly of the Dressel 1A type, which are valuable to archaeologists for reconstructing ancient trade networks.
- The discovery is part of a series of important Roman wrecks found in Italian waters, highlighting the rich underwater archaeology of the region.
- The waters surrounding Sicily are considered one of the Mediterranean’s richest areas for underwater archaeology due to its strategic position along ancient trade routes.
A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck, discovered off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, is carrying approximately 500 amphorae, primarily of the Dressel 1A type, used for transporting wine. The wreck was found at a depth of 46 meters (151 feet) by local fishermen Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli, who initially mistook it for a rock.1257
De Mola described the moment of discovery: “I get closer. And my heart stops. It wasn’t a rock. Beneath me was an immense expanse of amphorae.” The shipwreck, measuring 21 meters long and 6 meters wide, has been hailed by Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli as “one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.”4
The site, which contains amphorae piled nearly two meters high and spanning over 20 meters in length, will undergo further scientific documentation and research by Sicily’s Superintendency of the Sea. Archaeologists aim to determine the wreck's date, cargo origin, and condition of the artifacts, while also implementing protective measures for this significant archaeological site.
The Carabinieri have confirmed the wreck dates back to between the second and first centuries BC. The discovery adds to a series of important Roman wrecks found in Italian waters, highlighting the Mediterranean's rich underwater archaeological heritage. “This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life,” De Mola stated, reflecting the excitement surrounding this remarkable find.3
“The wreck, lying at 46 meters, holds mostly Dressel 1A amphorae used for wine, plus two lead anchor stocks. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called it 'one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years,' and divers will receive state recognition.”
The Guardian
