Roman-era shipwreck with hundreds of ancient jars uncovered off Sicily

While exploring the waters near Mazara del Vallo, diver and world champion spearfisher Giacomo de Mola’s sonar picked up what appeared to be a rock at a depth of 150 feet. Upon closer inspection he discovered a spread of hundreds of amphorae, ancient two-handled clay containers, covering an area of about 6 feet by 70 feet, along with two massive lead anchor stocks and a lead pipe. De Mola and his fellow diver Igor Bisulli reported the find to Italian officials, who confirmed it as the wreck of a Roman ship that sank in the first or second century B.C. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the discovery as “one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years.” The diver posted on Instagram that the find was “the most incredible discovery of my life,” highlighting the wreck’s testament to Mediterranean trade routes of antiquity.