Ancient Roman Shipwreck With 500 Amphorae Found Off Sicily Coast

A roughly 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 amphorae has been discovered about 5 kilometers off the coast of Sicily, Italy. The find is being hailed as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years. The wreck was examined by Italy's Carabinieri cultural heritage protection unit after a tip-off from fishermen, using divers and underwater cameras.

The vessel lies at a depth of about 46 meters and measures approximately 21 meters long and 6 meters wide. It carried hundreds of amphorae — narrow-necked, two-handled ancient ceramic vessels — believed to have been largely used for transporting wine. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the wreck as one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years.

He said it offers valuable pieces of history and provides new evidence of the trade routes and exchanges that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations. Diver De Mola, who shared footage of the discovery on Instagram, recounted that visibility was poor at first, but as he moved closer his heart nearly stopped as an endless sea of amphorae stretched out beneath him.