A Roman-era shipwreck, along with hundreds of amphorae, was discovered in the Mazara del Vallo area off the coast of Sicily.
According to the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Roman-era shipwreck, which likely dates to between the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C., was located approximately three miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo at a depth of 46 meters; on the seabed lie hundreds of amphorae, mainly of the Dressel 1A type, two lead anchor bases, and another structure made of the same material.
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Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli described it as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years. “The sea continues to reveal precious fragments of our history, and the Mazara del Vallo shipwreck tells us about the people, the routes, and the trade that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations. The research will continue to uncover its history and share it with the public,” he said in a statement.
The discovery was made during a joint inspection conducted by the Carabinieri’s Cultural Heritage Protection Unit in Palermo, the Sicilian Regional Maritime Affairs Inspection Unit, and the Carabinieri Underwater Investigations Unit in Messina, with the support of a Carabinieri patrol boat in Trapani, following a tip from members of the public.
The site will now be the subject of further documentation and investigation by the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, with the aim of reconstructing the archaeological context and implementing the necessary protective measures.
Furthermore, just a few days ago, another significant discovery was announced off the coast of Sicily, as a large crater hidden beneath the sea and new hydrothermal vents were identified in the Aeolian archipelago, a discovery that will allow scientists to delve deeper into the study of the island’s undersea volcanic system and raises new questions about its evolution.
The crater is approximately 100 meters long and 60 meters wide, and new hydrothermal vents—characterized by gas emissions from the seafloor—were also identified next to the formation.
SOURCE: CNA
