The sea often hides the signs of history and of our ancestors who sailed in those same waters before us. In Sicilia, as in all of Italy, it is not uncommon for priceless finds belonging to past eras to be found. This is the case with the Roman ship in the Egadi sea, identified in 98 meters of depth. The wreck dates back to IV-V century AD and has inside a load of type amphorae Almargo 51C (Iberian Peninsula), almost all in perfect condition. The incredible discovery is the result of research coordinated by the Superintendency of the Sea of the Sicilian RegionIn partnership with Rpm Nautical Foundation.
Roman ship in the sea of the Egadi: one more step to learn about the history of our ancestors
The campaign that led to the discovery of the Roman ship in the Egadi sea began in November 2020 and ended a July. The archaeologists carried out the research thanks to a side scan sonar (aboard a Hercules). In addition, robotic tools such as i Rov (remotely operated vehicles) and the auv (autonomous underwater vehicle), which made it possible to delineate the wreck and its cargo in detail. Furthermore SopMare andUniversity of Malta they will make one version 3D of the Roman ship, which should be delivered in 2022. It is a'"exceptional discovery - as reported by the Superintendent Valeria Li Vigni atHANDLE - which confirms what has already been argued by the Superintendency of the Sea since the time of Sebastiano Tusa, who had indicated in the sea of the Egadi an inexhaustible source of micro-stories that lead us to the knowledge of the history of Sicilia and the Mediterranean».
The discovery of the Roman ship in the sea of the Egadi comes a few days from another Roman wreck a few kilometers from the Sicilian coast. At the end of July, a Island of Women, the staff of the Superintendency of the Sea of the Sicilian Region identified a Roman ship of the XNUMXnd century BC. to 92 meters of depth during a reconnaissance of the ship Calypso South of dell'Arpa Sicilia. Also in this case the cargo of the ship was composed of amphorae for transporting wine. The two findings have shown how Sicily, during ancient times, was one land very important for commercial exchanges. THE underwater treasures (and not only) to be resurfaced could still be many. Their discovery is therefore essential to learn more about the history of the peoples who crossed the Mediterranean and who contributed to making Sicily and the whole of Italy wonderful.
Cover photo: © Superintendence of the Sea of the Sicilian Region.
