A valuable piece of history: archaeologists have uncovered an ancient sunken ship off the coast of Sicily.

Off the southern coast of Sicily, archaeologists have uncovered the site of an ancient shipwreck, dating back to the 5th-6th centuries BC. Near the sunken vessel, researchers found several stone and iron anchors, providing insight into the maritime traditions of the past, writes Arkeonews.

This discovery highlights Sicily's crucial role in ancient Mediterranean trade and cultural exchanges. The ship, buried under 6 meters of sand and stone, was found alongside four stone anchors believed to date back to prehistoric times, and two iron anchors likely from the 7th century AD. One of the stone anchors is broken and may have had wooden components.

Experts noted that the vessel was constructed using an early shipbuilding method, where planks are joined together to form the hull. This style is typically associated with ancient Mediterranean cultures.

To study the ship's structure, researchers created a three-dimensional model and collected samples from the wreck site for further analysis to understand the materials used.

Professor Massimo Capulli from the University of Udine explained that the hull, significantly damaged by mollusks, requires careful handling to preserve its fragile state. The scholar emphasized the importance of the find for understanding the trade connections between the ancient Greeks and Carthaginians—two prominent civilizations that once competed for control over the seas surrounding Sicily.

Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, the regional councilor for cultural heritage in Sicily, highlighted the significance of the shipwreck as a "precious fragment" of Sicily's underwater cultural heritage.

This discovery is part of the "Caucana" project—a research initiative aimed at exploring Sicily's underwater cultural heritage. Launched in 2017, the project continues to unveil new chapters of ancient maritime history in the Mediterranean region.

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