Wreck of ancient Roman ship carrying hundreds of intact terra cotta jars found off coast of Italy

The ship – believed to have sunk more than 2,000 years ago – was found on the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Civitavecchia, a port city just northwest of Rome.

The “exceptional discovery” was announced by the Carabinieri Art Squad, a division of the Carabinieri Police in charge of protecting Italy’s cultural heritage. Officials described it as “an important example of the sinking of a Roman ship which faced the perils of the sea in an attempt to reach the coast and bears witness to the ancient maritime trade routes,” according to The Guardian newspaper.

The vessel dates back to the first or second century BC and was filled with hundreds of amphorae, a type of terra cotta jar, which were found mostly intact, the Rome-based newspaper la Repubblica reported.

The shipwreck was located by the Art Squad and divers from the National Superintendency for Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Experts used a remotely operated vehicle system that included a patrol boat, a sonar and a depth sounder.

The amphorae were placed on the bottom of the ship, which is estimated to measure around 65 feet long.