The Late Antiquity shipwreck discovered in 2019 off the coast of Marina di Ognina, near Syracuse, is proving to be one of Sicily’s most revealing underwater archaeological sites.
A new scientific mission coordinated by the Superintendency of the Sea and nicknamed “Relitto delle Olle” after the ceramic containers found on board has recently completed a fresh round of dives, offering unprecedented insights into the vessel’s structure, cargo, and state of preservation.
Through detailed three-dimensional documentation and an initial phase of stratigraphic sediment cleaning, researchers were able to determine the ship’s orientation on the seabed and estimate its original dimensions. Preliminary analyses suggest the wreck belonged to a medium-sized cargo vessel measuring roughly 15 to 18 metres in length and 5 to 6 metres in width.
The latest dives also uncovered two noteworthy ceramic pieces: an achromatic single-handled vase likely used as a boiler and a two-handled achromatic pot with a lid. These finds enrich an already exceptional assemblage that has remained undisturbed for centuries.
“Thanks to modern and sophisticated equipment, we are continuing our scientific research,” said Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicilian Regional Councillor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity. “These operations will help clarify the type and chronology of the vessel, as well as better understand the nature of its cargo and the circumstances of its sinking.”
According to Ferdinando Maurici, Superintendent of the Sea, the site is remarkably intact. “The ‘Wreck of the Olle’ presents itself as a site of extraordinary potential, still rich in information that is not immediately perceptible,” he explained. “The extremely homogeneous cargo has survived in excellent condition, untouched by trawl nets or clandestine interventions.”
One of the mission’s key objectives is to fully map the cargo, an essential step to calculating the vessel’s precise dimensions. Although only limited traces of wood have been found, they suggest that part of the hull may still lie preserved beneath the ceramic load.
The operation involved a broad network of specialists. The Superintendency of the Sea oversaw the dives, while Capo Murro Diving Center in Syracuse provided logistical support. Deep-sea divers from Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) contributed technical expertise.
Photogrammetric work was conducted by Luca Palezza and Eduardo Salaj; biological observations were carried out by Linda Pasolli; and equipment was designed by Cristiano Rosa. Dive coordination was managed by Fabio Portella under the supervision of Ninny Di Grazia.
The wreck’s story began in 2019, when Portella, an honorary inspector for underwater cultural heritage, and Stefano Gualtieri identified early traces of the site during a dive to document 19th-century telegraph cables. In 2021, divers pinpointed the heart of the wreck, dating it tentatively to the 5th–6th centuries AD.
The cargo consisted of numerous ceramic vessels arranged in four distinct modules, along with lids of three different types. Following the formal report to the Superintendency, several diagnostic artefacts, including two jars, three lids, and a single-handled kettle were recovered for study.
With each new dive, the “Relitto delle Olle” continues to deepen understanding of Late Antiquity maritime trade and shipbuilding, confirming the site as one of the Mediterranean’s most promising underwater archaeological discoveries.
Header Image Credit : Sicilian Region
Sources : Sicilian Region
