Italy’s finance police said on Tuesday that they have discovered the remains of a large ancient Roman-era shipwreck on the seabed of the Ionian Sea off the coast of Puglia.
The vessel, which was found with a cargo of amphoras, was located during an inspection carried out in June 2025. The Guardia di Finanza said the discovery was being made public only now to ensure the site’s protection.
“The need to ensure this important underwater site was protected led to all the parties involved to agree to maintain the utmost confidentiality about the discovery,” the force said. The secrecy was aimed at preventing looting and safeguarding the archaeological evidence, it added.
“This was done in order to avert the risk of looting and preserve the potential information stored in the archaeological site, during the wait for the best intervention strategy to be developed,” the statement said.
Apulian coast rich in archaeological remains
The Ionian Sea, particularly along the southern Apulian coast, is known to be rich in underwater archaeological remains due to its role in ancient Mediterranean trade routes. During the Roman period, the area was a key corridor linking Italy with Greece, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.
Roman merchant ships commonly transported amphoras filled with goods such as wine, olive oil and garum, a popular fermented fish sauce. Shipwrecks carrying such cargoes provide valuable information about trade networks, shipbuilding techniques and daily life in the Roman Empire.
Italy has one of the world’s largest concentrations of underwater archaeological sites, many of which are protected by strict cultural heritage laws. The finance police often work alongside archaeological authorities to monitor coastal waters and prevent the illegal recovery and sale of artefacts.
The Guardia di Finanza did not provide details on the Roman-era shipwreck size, depth or precise location. It said further assessments would be carried out by specialists to determine how best to study and preserve the wreck.
Officials stressed that any future intervention would prioritise the site’s conservation and scientific value.
