Roman-era shipwreck with hundreds of amphorae found off Sicilian coast at 46 meters
A Roman-era shipwreck dated between the 2nd and 1st century B.C., carrying hundreds of Dressel 1A amphorae, has been discovered three miles off Mazara del Vallo at a depth of 46 meters, following a tip from private citizens.
Discovery off Sicily's coast
A Roman-era shipwreck, tentatively dated between the 2nd and 1st century B.C., has been identified approximately three miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, in the province of Trapani, Sicily, at a depth of 46 meters. The seabed at the site holds hundreds of amphorae, predominantly of the Dressel 1A type, along with two lead anchor stocks and an additional lead structure. The discovery was announced by Italy's Ministry of Culture on 8 August 2026. Images released from the site show dozens of amphorae stacked on top of one another, with other artifacts covered by algae and sand.
The find resulted from a tip by private citizens, which triggered a joint inspection conducted by the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit (TPC) of Palermo, the Soprintendenza del Mare of the Sicilian Region, and the Carabinieri Underwater Unit of Messina, with support from the Carabinieri patrol boat of Trapani. Il Messaggero emphasized the value of civic collaboration in protecting submerged cultural heritage, noting that the citizens' report was what made the operation possible. The Dressel 1A amphorae found at the site are described as typical of Roman commerce, adding to the archaeological significance of the deposit.
Minister's reaction
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years and congratulated the Carabinieri's specialized units and the Soprintendenza del Mare for their competence and dedication.
The sea continues to return to us precious fragments of our history, and the wreck of Mazara del Vallo speaks to us of the men, the routes, and the exchanges that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations. Research will continue to reveal its history and entrust it to the community.
The Commander General of the Carabinieri, General Salvatore Luongo, also commented on the find, describing it as an operation of significance for the force and confirming the technical excellence of its specialized units.
Next steps for the site
The Soprintendenza del Mare will now carry out further documentation and in-depth study of the site, directed at reconstructing the archaeological context and adopting the necessary protection measures. The ministry's statement indicated that the research will proceed to uncover the full history of the wreck and deliver it to the public. The site will be subjected to additional investigations to discover what else it may conceal beneath the sediment.
Sicily's underwater heritage
The Mediterranean has yielded numerous archaeological finds over the years, and Sicily's waters in particular have produced several notable discoveries. In 2021, three Roman-era amphorae were found off Mondello, while in the same year an iron anchor and several cannons were recovered from the remains of an armed commercial ship off Agrigento. The Mazara del Vallo wreck, with its hundreds of Dressel 1A amphorae and lead anchor stocks, adds another chapter to the record of Roman maritime trade routes preserved in Sicilian waters. The ministry noted that the sea continues to return fragments of history, and the research at Mazara del Vallo will proceed to reconstruct the story of the vessel, its crew, and the trade networks that connected the ancient Mediterranean.
