Italian scientists have discovered a Roman ship dating back to the first or second century BC, containing hundreds of ancient ceramic jars.
Hundreds of intact ancient Roman ceramic jars aboard the ship. (Photo: Business Insider).
“This is a remarkable discovery. The ship’s hold, filled with hundreds of intact Roman amphorae, has provided us with valuable insights into ancient maritime trade routes and will allow scientists to better understand what these goods were used for,” the team of archaeologists stated.
The ship was found at a depth of about 160 meters underwater, near the port city of Civitavecchia, approximately 80 km from the capital, Rome, Italy.
The Italian National Cultural Heritage Police stated: “This extraordinary discovery demonstrates the shipwrecks of the Roman era, highlighting the dangers faced at sea during trade, and serves as evidence of the development of ancient maritime trade routes.”
The cargo ship is estimated to be over 20 meters long and contains hundreds of clearly categorized Roman ceramic jars. Archaeologists have yet to determine the exact use of these jars.
The Mediterranean coastline of Italy is rich in underwater archaeological treasures, necessitating frequent patrols by diving teams from the police to protect these sites from looting.
In 2021, within a few weeks, archaeologists in Sicily discovered two ancient Roman ships, one off the coast of Palermo and the other near the island of Ustica. Both vessels contained a large number of wine amphorae.
Many other ancient Roman ships have been found in the Mediterranean, such as in 2013 when scientists discovered a nearly intact ship dating back to the second century BC off the coast of Genoa.
Local police have been informed about the area of the ship, and many valuable goods from this vessel have been stolen and are being sold in an underground market in northern Italy.
Each year, hundreds of ancient Roman jars and pottery are discovered by Italian police in the homes of art dealers. In June 2021, authorities recovered numerous artifacts from sunken Roman ships belonging to a Belgian collector.
These artifacts date back to the sixth century BC and are valued at up to 11 million euros.
In the Puglia region of Italy alone, scientists have discovered nearly 800 exceptionally rare and invaluable artifacts, including stone slabs known as stelae, ceramic jars, and other items from clandestine excavations in the area.
