A Roman-era shipwreck approximately 2,100 years old has been discovered off the coast of Sicily near Mazara del Vallo. The site, located on the southwestern tip of Sicily, lies about five kilometers offshore at a depth of 46 meters.
The wreck was found by Italian sport fishermen Giacomo De Mola and Igor Bisulli while they were searching for fish-rich waters to prepare for the Italian spearfishing championship. The fishermen reported that their boat's echo sounder showed an anomaly in the sand, prompting them to dive and investigate.
The approximate length of the discovery site
The site, which measures approximately 21 meters long and six meters wide, indicates a large transport ship. The vessel was carrying hundreds of well-preserved amphorae, which were likely used for transporting wine. Other items found at the site include two large lead anchors and a lead pipe.
Under me stretched a huge area of amphorae.
Igor Bisulli told the newspaper La Repubblica that numerous fish were swimming among the amphorae, which remained surprisingly intact. One of the fishermen also noted on Instagram that visibility was not optimal during the find.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the find as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years, stating that the sea provides a precious fragment of history.
Archaeological significance and origins
Underwater archaeologist Roberto La Rocca of the Soprintendenza del mare told La Repubblica that the typology of the amphorae appears related to the so-called Dressel 1A. These slender vessels, characterized by a long pointed tip and flared rim, were used primarily for transporting wine.
The amphorae are presumed to originate from Campania and date from the late 2nd or early 1st century BC. They were standard vessels in the ancient Roman economic area, featuring standardized content quantities.
The discovery documents ancient Roman trade routes from the republican era, where transport ships sailed from Campania toward Sicily and then toward North Africa.
The typology of the amphorae appears to be related to the so-called Dressel 1A.
The wreck's position relatively far from the coast may provide clues to its sinking; La Rocca and his colleagues suspect a storm may have surprised the ship. While Roman captains typically attempted to sail as close to the coast as possible, this vessel was found further out.
Igor Bisulli speculated that Cyclone 'Harry' may have washed away the sand covering the wreck in January 2026. That cyclone lasted for three days, causing damage along the southern Italian coast, including road closures and rail interruptions. In Sicily alone, the cyclone caused approximately one billion euros in damage.
Investigation and protection
The fishermen immediately reported the find to the authorities. An investigation was launched by the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage—also known as the 'art police'—alongside the Soprintendenza del mare and divers from the Carabinieri underwater unit in Messina.
We are responsible for the protection of cultural sites, including underwater sites.
The site has been officially closed to divers and is monitored by special Carabinieri units to prevent looting. While selective recovery of individual amphorae and other finds is possible, the wreck is intended to remain in place. Archaeometric investigations are planned to determine the vessel's origin more precisely.
