2,100-Year-Old Roman Ship Carrying Hundreds of Wine Amphorae Discovered off Sicily

A team of Italian divers has uncovered the remains of an ancient Roman ship, approximately 2,100 years old, in the waters off Sicily.

The wreck lay at a depth of 46 meters and contained hundreds of vessels used mainly to transport wine. Italy’s culture minister described the find as one of the most significant achievements in underwater archaeology in recent years.

The ship was located about five kilometers off the coast of Mazara del Vallo. Initial evidence suggests that it dates from between the second and first centuries BC. The discovery followed reports from the fishing community and was subsequently confirmed by divers from the Palermo police unit responsible for protecting cultural heritage. According to estimates, the vessel was about 21 meters long and six meters wide.

The cargo consisted mainly of Dressel 1A amphorae, tall, cylindrical vessels used to transport wine during the Roman era. The fishermen said they came across the sunken ship by chance. Despite limited underwater visibility, as soon as they approached it, they noticed a large area covered with amphorae.

Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s culture minister, hailed the discovery as one of the most important moments for underwater archaeology in recent years.