2,000-year-old shipwreck source of incredible finds

An archaeological team equipped with a mini-submarine made a spectacular discovery while exploring in deep water around the Aeolian Islands of Pantelleria, Lipari and Panarea, according to a report in palermo.repubblica.it, translated by ancient-origins.net.

One of the clay vessels recovered from the wreck near Lipari.

Credit: Division The Republic, Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso SpA

The research team, coordinated by the Superintendent of the Sea in cooperation with Global Underwater Explorers, made the rare discovery while investigating the sea floor at depths of 130 metres near the island of Lipari. Next to a large amount of amphorae, the team pulled up plates, bowls, anchors, and a well-preserved sacrificial altar.

The terracotta altar on a pedestal contains decorative carvings of waves, and this is one of the first examples of an altar on a ship that may have been used for ritual purposes during a journey. While historical sources have referred to sailors making sacrifices to the gods to ensure a safe journey or to give thanks for having navigated a difficult passage, evidence was never found--until now.

The terracotta altar recovered from the shipwreck.

Credit: Division The Republic, Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso SpA.

The exploration was only made possible thanks to the use of two high-tech submersibles called ‘Triton’, as diving at such depths is extremely dangerous. It's one of many dives for ancient treasure completed with the help of modern technology--a trend that makes it possible to reach wrecks which we thought would stay forever out of our reach.