During routine inspections, Italian police discovered the remains of an ancient Roman cargo ship with several amphorae on board on the seabed off the southern coast of the country. The local authorities informed about it on Tuesday. TASR writes about it according to the report of the DPA agency.
The vessel was already found in the middle of last year, but due to concerns about looting, this information had to be kept strictly confidential. In June of last year, members of the rescue services during a routine patrol along the coast around the city of Gallipoli in the south of the Apulia region they noticed an anomaly on the seabed. They decided to dive and discovered the remains of a cargo ship.
La Repubblica, citing experts, stated, that the ship dates from approximately the 4th century. She probably sailed from North Africa and in the amphorae she was carrying was garum – a spicy sauce made from fermented fish. which was a common ingredient in ancient Roman cuisine.
The area has been under constant surveillance since the summer. In the coming months, archaeologists are to systematically document and examine the wreck of the vessel. Their work should provide new insights into trade routes, shipbuilding and the movement of goods during the late Roman Empire.
