Italian divers, aided by local fishermen, have discovered an ancient Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily, believed to be more than 2,000 years old. The well-preserved vessel, found around 46 meters deep, is estimated to date back to the second or first century BC and is laden with hundreds of amphorae – tall ceramic jars used to store goods such as wine, olive oil, and grain during the ancient era. This significant find has been hailed by Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years." The culture ministry is taking necessary safety measures to safeguard the site while experts investigate its nature and cargo further. Similar ancient wrecks are thought to be scattered across the Mediterranean seabed, with another 1st or 2nd century BC vessel discovered north-west of Rome in 2023 and a Greek merchant ship dating back over 2,400 years found off the Bulgarian coast in 2018.