2,000-year-old Roman vessel discovered off Italy

Archaeologists have made an extraordinary deep-water find off the coast of Italy – a 2,000-year-old Roman cargo vessel. The shipwreck was discovered near the town of Civitavecchia, about 50 miles north of Rome, resting on a sandy seabed at a depth of 160m. The discovery was made by the archaeology branch of the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the National Superintendence for Underwater Cultural Heritage of Taranto, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to scan the area. A statement from the Carabinieri described the find as “exceptional” and an important example of a Roman shipwreck that braved the perils of the sea while attempting to reach the coast. The vessel provides evidence of ancient maritime trade routes.

The 20-metre-long cargo ship, believed to date back to the first or second century BC, is packed with Roman terracotta amphorae, suggesting it may have been en route from Spain carrying olive oil, olives, figs, peaches, and wine. Two Roman metal anchor stocks were found near the wreck. Measures are being taken to protect and preserve this significant archaeological site.

Photo credit: Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio
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