Kategorie: News
A diver, a rock - and a sensational discovery
About three nautical miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in western Sicily, a piece of trade history has lain on the seabed for over 2,000 years. The wreck was discovered in early August - according to Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.
At a depth of about 46 meters lies a Roman merchant ship that, according to initial dating, is believed to have sunk between the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. - that is, during the late Roman Republic. On board: hundreds of amphorae, a type of vessel typical of this era that was primarily used for transporting wine. In addition, the divers found two lead anchor shafts and another heavy lead object at the site.
The wreck was not discovered through systematic research, but rather through a tip from private individuals. Initial media reports claimed that a fisherman had made the discovery, but it later turned out that it was the Italian diver Giacomo De Mola who, during a dive, initially thought he had spotted an ordinary rock - until he discovered the large collection of amphorae beneath it. He then notified the responsible Soprintendenza del Mare of the Sicily region.
The subsequent exploration was a joint operation involving several agencies: the Nucleo Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (the Carabinieri unit specializing in cultural heritage protection) from Palermo, the Soprintendenza del Mare, and the Carabinieri diving unit from Messina, supported by a Carabinieri patrol boat from Trapani. Using surveillance technology and underwater cameras, the teams documented and surveyed the site.
One of the Most Important Ancient Maritime Routes
So far, the wreck has only been located and photographed; it has not been fully excavated. Much of its history therefore remains hidden beneath 46 meters of water. Further investigations are needed to determine where the ship came from, where it was headed, and what circumstances led to its sinking.
The wreck lies near one of the most important ancient sea routes connecting the Italian peninsula with North Africa - an area that was central to trade in the western Mediterranean during Roman times. Finds like this one provide valuable insights into trade routes, the flow of goods, and the economy of the Roman world.
Mazara del Vallo is no stranger to underwater archaeology: as early as 1998, the famous “Dancing Satyr”, a Greek bronze statue now considered one of Sicily’s most significant ancient works of art, was discovered off the coast of the city. The new discovery joins a long list of ancient treasures that the sea around Sicily - including off the Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria, and Capo Passero - has revealed over the years.
The wreck is currently inaccessible to divers: The site is under official protection while the Soprintendenza del Mare prepares further documentation and conservation measures. Whether and how the site will be made accessible in the long term for archaeological research or possibly even for guided dives remains to be seen.
Sources:
Ministero della Cultura: Official Press Release
Newspaper article: La Sicilia