A spearfishing enthusiast exploring underwater near Sicily believed he had spotted a mundane rock formation 150 feet beneath the waves. Instead, he uncovered an ancient Roman merchant ship resting on the ocean floor, loaded with hundreds of clay containers preserved for approximately two millennia.
Diver Giacomo De Mola, who made the discovery near Mazara del Vallo, has caught the eye of Italy’s cultural heritage authorities. Experts are calling this one of the most extraordinary underwater archaeological finds in recent memory. While Mediterranean shipwrecks from antiquity are known to exist, few have their cargoes so astonishingly preserved.
This find highlights the vast trove of historic artifacts still hidden beneath the sea, waiting to be stumbled upon rather than uncovered through planned expeditions.
Unexpected Find Near Mazara del Vallo
Giacomo De Mola was diving roughly three miles off Sicily’s Mazara del Vallo when he noticed what appeared at first to be a large rock. But as he approached, he realized it was something extraordinary. “I got closer, and my heartbeat stopped. It wasn’t a rock,” he shared in a translated Instagram post .
After surfacing, De Mola informed his fishing companion, and they promptly reported the find to the Sicilian Regional Superintendency of the Sea. This led to an investigation by the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, which has been documenting the site and verifying the wreck’s details.
“This is, without a doubt, the most incredible discovery of my life,” De Mola continued. “It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be among the first humans in nearly 20 centuries to see that place again.”
The ship measures 69 feet in length and 20 feet across. It dates back to either the first or second century B.C.E., placing it within the late Roman Republic era. The wreck lies at a depth of about 46 meters, according to official statements, a location that likely shielded it from major disturbances over the centuries.
Vast Cargo of Amphorae from Varied Origins
The exceptional aspect of this find is the volume and diversity of preserved cargo still on board. The ship transported hundreds of amphorae, which are tall clay vessels with two handles that Romans used to ship commodities like wine and olive oil throughout the Mediterranean.
Most jars are the Dressel 1A style, a typical Roman design of that era, according to Italy’s Ministry of Culture. However, the cargo also contains Lamboglia 2 amphorae—commonly used for wine—plus some containers believed to originate from North Africa, and even older Neo-Punic examples. This combination implies the vessel gathered goods from several regions along its voyage.
The Ministry notes these amphorae are stacked nearly seven feet tall across an area exceeding 60 feet in length and 20 feet in width. This density illustrates just how much of the original cargo has been preserved intact.
Future Plans Under Consideration by Authorities
Government officials in Italy have emphasized the find’s substantial historical value. Alessandro Giuli, the Italian Minister of Culture, praised it as one of the most prominent discoveries in recent years.
“This is one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years,” he said. “The sea continues to give back previous fragments of our history, and the wreck of Mazara del Vallo tells us about these people, the routes, and the trade that made the Mediterranean a crossroads of civilization. Research will continue to uncover its story.”
Officials have yet to decide whether to salvage the shipwreck or preserve it underwater. The Ministry’s spokesperson explained to CNN:
“There is no plan now to raise the entire shipwreck but some of the artifacts may be brought up for study — it may turn into a dive site, it may eventually be raised, there is more to study in terms of the fragility of the wreck site, etc. and they need to determine if there had been previous pillages. So it will stay put for now, protected, studied and valued.”
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