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6th c. B.C. shipwreck found off Sicily
The remains of a shipwreck dating to the 6th or 5th century B.C. in the waters off Santa Maria del Focallo, a beach town on the southern tip of Sicily. An underwater excavation found the wreck at a depth of 20 feet, the wood of the hill buried under sand and rocks.
Experts revealed that the ship’s hull was constructed using the su guscio technique, a method that involved joining the planks of the hull with dovetail joints and clamps, which gave the structure notable strength and self-sufficiency.
Furthermore, near the wreck, two sets of anchors were identified. The two iron anchors, of the inverted “T” type, are attributed to the 7th century AD, while the four stone anchors appear to be of prehistoric origin, extending the chronology of the found elements.
The presence of a wreck at the site was first reported to the Superintendence of the Sea in 2022 and documented by volunteer Antonino Giunta of the non-profit cultural association BCsicilia. The Superintendency followed up with an excavation campaign that concluded in September of this year. The wreck was not removed, but divers collected samples of the beams for paleobotanical analysis. They also took high-resolution photographs of the wreck site. Using photogrammetry technology, the team was able to create a 3D model of the wreck that was used to document the ship’s remains with pinpoint precision.
The discovery of this wreck underscores the importance of Sicily as a strategic point in trade routes with ancient Greece.
The materials and techniques found not only provide insight into the nautical skills of the time but also highlight the intense commercial and cultural activity that flourished in the Mediterranean.
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