Mazara del Vallo – Off the coast of Sicily, the Carabinieri and the regional maritime authority have discovered a significant Roman shipwreck. The wreck, which lay at a depth of 46 meters, was located about three nautical miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in the province of Trapani.
The discovery was made as part of efforts to protect Italy’s underwater cultural heritage, following a tip from private citizens. A joint team from the Nucleo TPC (Tutela Patrimonio Culturale) in Palermo, the Soprintendenza del Mare of the Sicily Region, and the Nucleo Carabinieri Subacquei (Carabinieri Divers) in Messina conducted the investigations. They were supported by a Carabinieri patrol boat from Trapani.
What was inside the ancient shipwreck?
During their investigations, the researchers were able to identify a Roman shipwreck estimated to date from the 2nd to the 1st century B.C. The wreck contains a large number of artifacts, including hundreds of amphorae, most of which are classified as Dressel Type 1A. In addition, the divers found two anchor stocks and another structure, both of which were made of lead.
The site is now being further documented and studied by the Soprintendenza del Mare. The goal is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the archaeological context and to implement appropriate measures to protect this historical heritage. The Carabinieri emphasized the importance of cooperation between their specialized units and cultural heritage protection authorities in order to preserve such historical artifacts and make them accessible to the public.
