Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered off Sicily coast

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch: Shipwreck discovered piled high with ancient pottery

Italian divers have discovered an ancient Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily, believed to be more than 2,000 years old.

The vessel was found piled high with hundreds of well-preserved containers, which were used to transport goods such as wine and olive oil.

Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the wreck as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years".

Specialist police divers found the ship around 46m (150ft) deep, after a tip-off from fishermen. The wreckage is 21m (69ft) long and 6m (20ft) wide, according to reports in local media.

The culture ministry says it dates from the second or 1st Century BC.

Fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola described stumbling across the historic vessel while surveying the seabed near Mazara del Vallo.

In a social media post, he said he decided to dive and investigate after seeing something that appeared to be a large rock on his scanner.

"I get closer. And my heart stops. It wasn't a rock," he said. Instead, he saw hundreds of amphorae - tall ceramic jars used to store goods in the ancient era, mostly wine, oil or grain.

"This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life," he said. "It's hard to describe what it feels like to be among the first humans, in nearly 20 centuries, to see that place again."

He posted a video of the wreck, showing eels, snappers and "countless marine life" living among the jars, noting: "The sea never ceases to amaze us.

"This time we didn't just find a wreck, we found a piece of our history."

Image source, Carabinieri via AFPImage caption, Divers from a specialist arm of Italy's police were sent to the site of the wreckage

Specialist divers from the cultural heritage protection arm of Italy's police, known as the Carabinieri Art Squad, were sent to the site.

Officials say safety measures will be taken to safeguard it while it undergoes investigation, as experts work to determine the nature of the wreck and learn more about its cargo.

The Mediterranean seabed is thought to be scattered with similar ancient wrecks.

Another 1st or 2nd Century BC vessel was found north-west of Rome in 2023, again laden with hundreds of amphorae.

In 2018, a Greek merchant ship dating back more than 2,400 years was found lying on its side off the Bulgarian coast. At the time, it was hailed as the world's oldest-known intact shipwreck.

Ancient Roman shipwreck found off coast of Italy

'Oldest intact wreck' found in Black Sea

'Dream' Roman mosaic find dug up from farmland

PreviousNext0:38Wildfire raging in Canada's British Columbia. 00:00:38, play videoWildfire raging in Canada's British Columbia0:40Maradona's 'Hand of God' football to go under the hammer. 00:00:40, play videoMaradona's 'Hand of God' football to go under the hammer3:23What happened to the internet? 00:03:23, play videoWhat happened to the internet?1:02Child among three killed in Russian missile attacks near Kyiv. 00:01:02, play videoChild among three killed in Russian missile attacks near Kyiv0:28'Very painful': Hunter Biden on father's cancer update. 00:00:28, play video'Very painful': Hunter Biden on father's cancer update0:59Melvin Odoom hears his student radio MiniDisc. 00:00:59, play videoMelvin Odoom hears his student radio MiniDisc0:54If the Inbetweeners were Teletubbies! 00:00:54, play videoIf the Inbetweeners were Teletubbies!0:34Timelapse shows mass balloon ascent in Bristol. 00:00:34, play videoTimelapse shows mass balloon ascent in Bristol1:17The tech that could map every tree on earth. 00:01:17, play videoThe tech that could map every tree on earth1:20Jackie Kennedy's White House renovation and televised tour. 00:01:20, play videoJackie Kennedy's White House renovation and televised tour0:59Could the UK be on the brink of a food shortage? 00:00:59, play videoCould the UK be on the brink of a food shortage?1:07Riding England's longest zip wire. 00:01:07, play videoRiding England's longest zip wire0:31The Clacton by-election ballot paper is... how long? 00:00:31, play videoThe Clacton by-election ballot paper is... how long?1:21How many different cubes can you make? 00:01:21, play videoHow many different cubes can you make?2:01Simon Levy found guilty of double murder and rape. 00:02:01, play videoSimon Levy found guilty of double murder and rape1:02Families' anger at funeral boss's apology letter. 00:01:02, play videoFamilies' anger at funeral boss's apology letter1:17What we know about the Thailand school shooting. 00:01:17, play videoWhat we know about the Thailand school shooting0:48Why did a brief power cut cause train chaos in Manchester? 00:00:48, play videoWhy did a brief power cut cause train chaos in Manchester?0:53Are you hung up on hangers? 00:00:53, play videoAre you hung up on hangers?0:52Sydney Towle's message was "to treat people with kindness" 00:00:52, play videoSydney Towle's message was "to treat people with kindness"Top storiesIsrael rejects Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says

Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan returning to Ireland in high-security operation

Andy Burnham to embark on cost of living tour through the UK

Zendaya saw me on the red carpet and her jaw dropped - I'm still in shock

Australia is the planet's extinction hotspot, but one animal offers a glimmer of hope

How weight-loss medication is changing relationships with alcohol

Stray cats showing up at raves, gigs and pubs now have own merchandise

What is clearing and what do I need to know ahead of results day?

The 101-year-old who created a dolls' house museum with her childhood toys

Setting an alarm or keeping their own phones off - how do parents tackle summer screen time?

Pokémon hobby takes brothers to world championships

Get news, tips and ideas for your family with our Summer Essential newsletter

With great power comes great responsibility

She's not a bad girl anymore, wink wink wink wink

Can a test tell you what's living inside your gut?

How much discipline is too much in school?

Israel rejects Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says

Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered off Sicily coast

How weight-loss medication is changing relationships with alcohol

Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan returning to Ireland in high-security operation

Zendaya saw me on the red carpet and her jaw dropped - I'm still in shock

Hundreds arrested over French wildfires, but who is to blame?

Andy Burnham to embark on cost of living tour through the UK

Australia is the planet's extinction hotspot, but one animal offers a glimmer of hope

Killed a month after his wedding - why PC Andrew Harper's story touched so many

'Minion Man' paints over estate's obscene graffiti