Summer 2026's Major Archaeological Discoveries: Paleochristian Mosaics, Shipwrecks, and a Maya City

During the first half of 2026, remarkable archaeological discoveries were reported worldwide. In Treviso's Oderzo, a paleochristian site containing mosaics and tombs was found, believed to be the earliest Christian church in the city. A feasibility study off the coast of Calabria uncovered a shipwreck dating back to the 5th–4th century BCE, which held more than 300 amphorae. The DiscoVereto initiative by the University of Naples L'Orientale in Salento revealed paved floors and various artifacts, including a Hellenistic head. Near Rome, the Gabii Project discovered a significant water basin associated with a Republican-era square, anticipated to reopen by the end of the year. Excavations at Nora in Sardinia uncovered well-preserved Phoenician and Punic tombs. In Mexico, the Maya city of Minanbé was identified, featuring a 13-meter pyramid and intricately carved altars.