Overview
- A fisherman and free-diver, Giacomo De Mola, spotted an anomalous mass on his boat sonar and dove to find a large concentration of amphorae on the seabed, then reported the discovery to regional authorities.
- Specialist cultural-heritage divers from Palermo located and initially documented the wreck about three miles off Mazara del Vallo at roughly 150 feet depth.
- The vessel is dated to the 2nd–1st centuries BC, measures about 70 by 20 feet, and is mainly loaded with hundreds of well-preserved Dressel 1A amphorae commonly used to carry wine.
- Italy’s Culture Ministry called the find among the most important recent underwater discoveries and said teams will map, study and take protective measures while deciding on any recoveries and conservation.
- Researchers say the site can shed direct evidence on Roman Mediterranean trade routes and cargo handling, but detailed analysis and conservation work remain in early stages because of the wreck’s depth and fragility.