2,000-year-old Roman shipwreck discovered off coast of Sicily

A remarkable discovery has been made off the coast of Sicily, where Italian divers have located the 2,100-year-old wreck of a Roman ship laden with hundreds of ancient clay jars, known as amphorae. The find is being hailed as one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years.

The shipwreck, believed to date between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, was found approximately three miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo at a depth of about 150 feet. The discovery followed a tip-off from local fishermen who had noticed an unusual anomaly on their underwater scanners.

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one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years

One of the fishermen, Giacomo De Mola, described stumbling upon the wreck as "without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life." He recounted diving down and finding "a vast expanse of amphorae," expressing awe at being among the first people in nearly two millennia to witness the site.

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without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life.

The ship, reported to be around 21 meters long and six meters wide, was primarily carrying Dressel 1A amphorae. These tall, cylindrical jars were commonly used for transporting wine during the Roman era.

Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli congratulated the involved teams, including the Carabinieri's cultural heritage protection unit and the Sicilian Region's SopMare, for their role in uncovering this significant piece of history.

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It's hard to explain what it feels like to be among the first human beings, after almost twenty centuries, to see that place again.