A Roman-era shipwreck, presumably dating between the 2nd and 1st century BC, has been identified approximately three nautical miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, at a depth of 46 meters. On the seabed are hundreds of amphorae, predominantly of the Dressel 1A type, two lead anchor stocks, and an additional structure made of the same material. The news was released by the Ministry of Culture.

The discovery occurred during a survey conducted by the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Palermo, the Superintendency of the Sea of the Sicilian Region, and the Carabinieri Underwater Unit of Messina, with the support of the Carabinieri patrol boat of Trapani. The site was identified thanks to a report from citizens who had dived in the area.

Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli described the find as one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years, thanking the specialized Carabinieri units and the Superintendency of the Sea for their work. According to the minister, the wreck speaks of the people, routes, and exchanges that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilizations.

The site will now undergo further documentation and study activities by the Superintendency of the Sea, aimed at reconstructing the archaeological context and adopting the necessary protection measures. Research will continue to deepen the history of the wreck and deliver it to the public.