Centuries of shifting sands have concealed an extraordinary find off the southern coast of Sicily: a wooden vessel dating back roughly 2,500 years. Researchers say this ancient ship—discovered some 20 feet below sand and stone—may reveal how early mariners built their craft, especially since it appears to originate from the fifth or sixth century B.C. Such a remarkable age places it squarely in the spotlight of those studying how this strategic Mediterranean island once shaped vast trading connections.
Buried Treasure Beneath the Waves
During the same dive, archaeologists also identified two iron inverted “T” anchors likely from the seventh century A.D., as well as four stone anchors that could date to prehistoric times, according to a translated statement from the Sicilian Region’s Superintendent of the Sea. One of these stone anchors was broken and possibly featured two wooden flukes to help it grip the seafloor.
A joint operation involving the Superintendent of the Sea of the Sicilian Region and the Department of Humanistic Studies and Cultural Heritage at the University of Udine revealed that the ship’s hull used an “on shell technique,” which relies on planking that essentially holds itself together, while the frame merely supports the structure.
“The general condition of the hull, which has long been the object of attack by mollusks that feed on wood, is in fact extremely delicate and requires not only expertise but also a lot of caution,” Massimo Capulli, professor of underwater and naval archaeology at the University of Udine, said in a translated statement from the university.
Clues to a Forgotten Era of Trade
Capulli believes the vessel came from a turning point between archaic and classical Greece, a phase when Sicily’s key position shaped maritime commerce. “We are in fact faced with material evidence of the trade and commerce of a very ancient era,” Capulli said, “when Greeks and Punics competed for control of the seas, centuries before Rome forcefully overtook the Mediterranean.”
Experts hope continued exploration of this wreck will unlock further knowledge about naval engineering in those distant times. The discovery is part of the Kaukana Project, which has studied submerged cultural heritage around Sicily since 2017.
Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, councilor for cultural heritage and Sicilian identity, called it a “precious piece of the Sicilian submerged cultural heritage.”
By tracing how this ship was crafted and operated, archaeologists look to shed light on an age that still holds secrets about trade routes, resource exchange, and cooperation between ancient civilizations. Will this wreck rewrite the story of ancient maritime prowess? Only thorough research and careful excavation can offer the answers.
