Bronze rostra from Battle of the Egadi Islands recovered off Sicily

Three bronze rostra from the First Punic War have been discovered at a depth of 85 meters off the Egadi Islands, Sicily. One ram, larger than previously found examples, was recovered in August 2018 by the Global Underwater Explorer team with the Guardia di Finanza. The find results from collaboration between the Soprintendenza del Mare (led by Adriana Fresina) and the RPM Nautical Foundation. The battle occurred on March 10, 241 BCE, ending the First Punic War with a Roman victory over Carthage. The location near Levanzo was identified by diver Cecè Paladino in the 1980s, who found 150 anchor stocks. Archaeologist Sebastiano Tusa, now Assessore dei Beni Culturali, confirmed the site. Since 2004, 16 rostra and 21 Montefortino helmets have been recovered, a world record. The new rostra supports historian Polybius's accounts of quinquereme warships. Regional President Nello Musumeci called the project a model of scientific research.