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Roman 2,100-Year-Old Shipwreck Discovered Off Sicily

8/9/2026

Summary

Carabinieri Discover Shipwreck

Carabinieri Art Squad divers discovered a 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck off Mazara del Vallo, Sicily.
The wreck lies 46 metres deep, measures about 21 metres by 6 metres, and holds hundreds of Dressel 1A amphorae.
Fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola reported the find after sonar detected a rock-like mass.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said the site is among the most important recent underwater archaeological discoveries and will be secured for study.

Summary

Carabinieri Investigate Wreck

A joint team of Carabinieri units, the Sea Superintendency and a Trapani patrol boat investigated after a citizen tip-off.
Researchers will document the cargo and seabed before lifting sediment at 46 metres depth.
The Sea Superintendency will map the site and devise protection measures for the amphorae and hull.
Future work will assess how much of the ship lies beneath the cargo to gauge further artifact recovery.

History

Historical Context

In 1900 sponge divers off Antikythera uncovered a Roman-era cargo ship; by 1902 archaeologist Valerios Stais recognized the bronze Antikythera mechanism among roughly 2,000 amphorae recovered. Over a century later, Carabinieri divers reported a 2,100-year-old Roman wreck near Mazara del Vallo, prompting Italy’s Sea Superintendency and heritage agencies to tighten underwater preservation rules.

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Carabinieri Discover Shipwreck

Carabinieri Art Squad divers discovered a 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck off Mazara del Vallo, Sicily.
The wreck lies 46 metres deep, measures about 21 metres by 6 metres, and holds hundreds of Dressel 1A amphorae.
Fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola reported the find after sonar detected a rock-like mass.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said the site is among the most important recent underwater archaeological discoveries and will be secured for study.

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