Roman shipwreck with hundreds of amphorae discovered off Sicily coast
Archaeologists have discovered a roughly 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck lying at more than 46 meters depth off Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, with hundreds of well-preserved amphorae still in place. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called it one of the most significant archaeological finds of recent years.
The discovery
Divers found a Roman shipwreck a few kilometers off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, a harbor city in the province of Trapani on Sicily's southwestern shore. The wreck lies on a sandy seabed at a depth of more than 46 meters, according to initial investigations by underwater archaeologists. The Portuguese-language outlet Notícias ao Minuto puts the depth at nearly 50 meters. After first examination, the ship is described as exceptionally well preserved and still largely in its original position, a condition that underwater archaeologists attribute partly to the sandy bottom on which it rests. Numerous amphorae remain within the area of the ship's hull, a detail that allows researchers to draw conclusions about both the cargo and the construction of the ancient trading vessel.
The Italian Ministry of Culture dates the ship to the 2nd or 1st century BC, placing it in the period of the Roman Republic, the era before imperial rule that lasted until 27 BC. The vessel is approximately 2,100 years old. Video footage of parts of the wreck has been published by the Italian news agency Ansa, showing sections of the submerged remains on the seabed.
The cargo
Hundreds of amphorae were found at the site, with many fully intact and still located within the area of the ship's hull. The amphorae are of the Dressel 1A type, a ceramic form much used during the Roman Republic and specifically associated with wine transport, according to the Ministry of Culture. These vessels were used by the Romans to store and trade goods including wine and oil. Diver footage shows the amphorae lying on the seabed. Sources differ on the exact number recovered. German-language outlets Der Standard and newsORF.at report approximately 500 amphorae, while the Portuguese-language Notícias ao Minuto cites 100. The Dutch-language VRT NWS describes "hundreds" without giving a precise count. Beyond the ceramic vessels, lead ship components were also found at the site. The Dutch article refers to "different lead ship parts," while the Portuguese article specifies two lead objects and another lead structure, according to the Ministry of Culture's statement.
Official reaction
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent years. The announcement came through a Ministry of Culture statement in which Giuli was quoted.
The sea continues to reveal to us valuable fragments of our history, and the shipwreck of Mazara del Vallo speaks to us of the peoples, of the routes and of the exchanges that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations.
Next steps
Giuli said that research will continue to uncover more about the history of the shipwreck and to make the findings accessible to the public. The discovery site will be investigated by the Superintendence of the Sea, an office of the Sicilian regional government responsible for the protection, research, inventory, monitoring and promotion of underwater cultural heritage in Sicilian waters. The office's mandate covers all underwater cultural heritage in the seas around Sicily, and the Mazara del Vallo wreck will be subject to its full range of responsibilities, from initial documentation to long-term promotion.
