Roman Shipwreck with Amphorae Found Off Sicilian Coast
Last week, off the coast of Sicily, Italian divers Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli stumbled upon a Roman shipwreck dating back 2,000 years, initially believing it to be a large rock. Located at a depth of 46 meters (151 feet), the site revealed numerous clay vessels, mainly Dressel 1A amphorae, named after archaeologist Heinrich Dressel. Additionally, they discovered two anchor stumps and an unidentified lead structure. Sicilian cultural officials acknowledged the importance of this discovery, with Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli declaring it "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." The wreck, which dates from the second to first centuries BCE, could offer valuable insights into Ancient Rome's expansion in the Mediterranean. De Mola suggested it might also include Lamboglia 2 amphorae.
Key facts
- Two Italian divers, Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli, discovered the shipwreck off the Sicilian coast.
- The wreck is approximately 2,000 years old and lies at a depth of 46 meters (151 feet).
- The ship primarily carries Dressel 1A amphorae, late Roman Republic ceramic wine jars.
- The divers also found two anchor stumps and an unidentifiable lead structure.
- Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli called it one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.
- The wreck is dated between the second and first centuries BCE.
- De Mola speculated the wreck might contain Lamboglia 2 amphorae and clay jars from Neo-Punic-era North Africa.
- The discovery recalls other recent Roman shipwreck finds, including a 2019 find in Mallorca and a 2021 find off Palermo.
Entities
Artists
- Giacomo De Mola
- Igor Bisulli
- Heinrich Dressel
- Alessandro Giuli
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Sicilian cultural authorities
- Italian Ministry of Culture
- Ministero della Cultura
- Arma dei Carabinieri
- Nucleo Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (TPC) di Palermo
- Soprintendenza del Mare della Regione Siciliana
- Nucleo Carabinieri Subacquei di Messina
- Motovedetta dei Carabinieri di Trapani
- Artribune
- Carabinieri
- Superintendency of the Sea
- University of Cambridge
- Italian culture ministry
Locations
- Sicily
- Italy
- Mallorca
- Spain
- Palermo
- Mazara del Vallo
- Trapani
- Mediterranean Sea
- Mediterranean