Roman shipwreck with 500 amphorae found off Sicily

A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 amphorae has been discovered 3 miles off the coast of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily, according to the Guardian. The vessel, found by divers from Italy's Carabinieri cultural heritage protection unit, was hailed as 'one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years'.

The discovery was made by an underwater fisherman who described it as the 'most incredible' of his life, CBS News reported. Hundreds of amphorae were found piled up about 150 feet underwater, suggesting the relics came from a Roman shipwreck from about 2,000 years ago, according to the New York Times.

Italy's culture minister said the find is one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries in years, the BBC reported. The shipwreck lies in waters that were once a busy trade route between Rome and its provinces, a corridor that shaped the Mediterranean world.