Fishermen find ancient Roman shipwreck off coast of Sicily

While spearfishing in the deep waters off Sicily, Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli noticed a dark mass resting on the seabed. At first, the pair assumed it was simply a large rock sitting nearly 50 meters below the surface.

De Mola decided to take one final breath and dive down for a closer look. What he found was not a geological formation, but a massive field of ancient artifacts that had remained undisturbed for two millennia.

A Treasure Trove of Ancient Trade

The divers immediately alerted the Sicilian Regional Superintendency of the Sea and the Carabinieri's specialized cultural protection unit. Authorities confirmed the vessel dates back to the second or first century BC, a time when Sicily was a vital hub for Mediterranean commerce.

The wreck is packed with hundreds of ceramic amphorae, the tall clay jars typically used to haul olive oil and wine. These containers were found in a massive heap roughly 20 meters long, standing nearly two meters high in some sections.

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the find as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." The site includes various types of jars, including some originating from North Africa, suggesting a complex network of ancient trade routes.

Preserving History Under the Waves

For now, the Italian government has no plans to raise the entire ship. Instead, the focus is on securing the site from potential looters and conducting further research to see if the wooden hull remains intact beneath the heavy load of pottery.

The Carabinieri will continue to monitor the location, which sits about three miles from the coastline. While some artifacts may be brought to the surface for analysis, the wreck will largely remain as a protected underwater time capsule.

Reflecting on the experience, De Mola described the moment as the most incredible of his life. "It is hard to describe the feeling of being among the first humans in nearly 20 centuries to see that place again," he shared on social media.