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 Italy's Carabinieri cultural heritage protection unit, has been 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' in his life, CBS News reported. Hundreds of ancient amphorae were found piled up about 150 feet underwater, suggesting the relics came from a Roman shipwreck from about 2,000 years ago, the New York Times noted.

Italy's culture minister said it is one of the most important underwater archaeological finds in years, the BBC reported. The wreck sits near Mazara del Vallo, a port with deep roots in Mediterranean trade routes that once connected Rome to North Africa and the eastern empire.