A shipwreck of an ancient freighter more than 2000 years old has been found in Italy. As the Carabinieri unit, which specializes in protecting cultural heritage, announced on Friday, the ship is in front of the port of Civitavecchia, about 80 kilometers northwest of the Italian capital Rome, at a depth of about 160 meters.
The ship, estimated to be more than 20 meters long and dating from the 1st or 2nd century B.C. It had hundreds of amphorae – a type of ancient Roman jar – on board, most of which were found intact.
“The extraordinary find is an important example of the wreck of a Roman ship that faced the dangers of the sea to reach the coast and testifies to the ancient maritime trade routes,” say the Carabinieri.
The ship is a so-called Oneraria ship. The ancient Romans used them as trading ships to transport olive oil, wine, wheat, fruit or cattle. The carabinieri came across the find with the help of a remote-controlled robot.
According to the Authority, this is an exceptional discovery of significant archaeological, artistic and historical importance. “It is an important example of the sinking of a Roman ship that encountered the vagaries of the sea while attempting to reach shore,” it said.
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Sources: DPA, Reuters
