(File pic) A new discovery near Sicily has revealed a 2,500-year-old shipwreck (Image: Getty)
A remarkable discovery off the southern coast of has revealed a 2,500-year-old . It was buried under 20 feet of sand and rock near Santa Maria del Focallo.
believe the wreck, dating to the 5th or 6th century BC, offers a rare glimpse into ancient influence on Mediterranean trade and culture.
The ship, unearthed by underwater archaeologists, was constructed using the “on-the-shell” technique, an early shipbuilding method where planks are joined to create a self-supporting hull.
Despite centuries of damage from molluscs, parts of the hull remain intact, making it a vital piece of maritime history.
Nearby, the team also found two iron inverted “T” anchors from the 7th century AD and four stone anchors likely from the prehistoric era.
The wreck was found buried under 20 feet of sand and rock near Santa Maria del Focallo (Image: Getty)
One broken stone anchor featuring slots for wooden flukes highlights ancient anchoring methods.
“This discovery represents an extraordinary contribution to understanding Sicily’s maritime history,” said Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicily’s regional councillor for cultural heritage.
He stressed the shipwreck’s significance during a transitional period between archaic and classical Greece, underscoring Sicily’s role as a hub for trade and cultural exchange.
The Kaukana Project, an initiative that has been investigating Sicily’s underwater heritage since 2017, is leading the study.
Researchers have created a 3D model of the wreck and collected samples for further analysis to understand the materials and technologies used.
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Massimo Capulli, a professor of underwater archaeology at the University of Udine, highlighted the delicate condition of the ship, noting the challenges posed by its age and preservation.
“This wreck provides material evidence of ancient trade and interaction between Greeks and Carthaginians, who once fought for control of these waters.”
The shipwreck offers a window into a time when Sicily was a vital crossroads of commerce and culture.
Continued exploration may yield new insights into the ancient maritime networks that shaped the Mediterranean world.