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An ancient Roman shipwreck believed to date back more than 2,000 years has been discovered off the coast of Sicily, with Italy's culture minister describing the find as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries in recent years.
The vessel was found about three miles off Mazara del Vallo, a coastal town in western Sicily, at a depth of around 46 meters (151 feet), according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The wreck was discovered by divers from Italy's Carabinieri Art Squad after a fisherman tipped off authorities about the site.
The Carabinieri are Italy's national military police force, while its specialized Art Squad focuses on protecting cultural heritage and investigating crimes involving archaeological and artistic property.
The ship, believed to date to the second and first centuries B.C., measures around 20 meters (69 feet) in length and 6 meters (20 feet) in width.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the discovery as "one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years."
"The sea continues to bring back precious fragments of our history," Giuli said.
He added that research into the wreck would continue in an effort to uncover more about its history and eventually make the findings available to the wider community.
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