During a routine maritime patrol by the Italian police, a remarkable archaeological discovery was made. Officers from the Guardia di Finanza discovered the perfectly preserved wreck of a Roman merchant ship, still concealing its cargo, off the coast of Apulia (southeastern Italy).
The discovery was made in June 2025, but the information was kept secret for many months to prevent looting of the underwater site. The wreck was detected thanks to modern on-board equipment that detected an anomaly on the seabed. Since then, the area has been under constant surveillance.
The vessel carried numerous amphorae – distinctive, two-handled ceramic vessels used in ancient Rome to transport food. In this case, they carried garum – a fermented fish sauce popular in the Roman Empire.
According to preliminary findings, the ship dates back to the late Imperial period (ca. 3rd–6th centuries AD). Vessels of this type could carry 100 to 150 tons of cargo, although the largest could reach cargo capacities exceeding 1,000 tons.
The Apulian coast played a key role in ancient times as a trade gateway to the East. Important ports such as Brindisium and Tarentum were located there, connecting the Roman Empire with Greece, the Middle East, and beyond.
The wreck is currently being carefully documented using advanced research methods, and its exact location remains classified to protect the site from looters.
