Rome – Italy’s Carabinieri police announced on Friday the discovery of an ancient Roman cargo ship, which is believed to be more than 2,000 years old, off the coast near Rome. The vessel was found on a sandy seabed, about 160 metres deep, off the port of Civitavecchia, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of the Italian capital.
The ship, estimated to be over 20 metres long, dates back to the 1st or 2nd century BC. It was carrying numerous amphorae, which are a type of jar commonly used in ancient Rome. Most of the amphorae were found intact.
This remarkable finding serves as an important example of a Roman shipwreck that experienced the perils of the sea while attempting to reach the coast. It also provides insight into the ancient maritime trading routes of that time, the Carabinieri explained.
The discovery and filming of the wreck were made possible through the use of a remotely operated robot. However, it remains uncertain whether there are any plans to recover the ship or its cargo from the sea’s depths.
Alvise Armellini reporting; Keith Weir editing.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
