Marine researchers have identified a previously unknown maritime trade corridor, dubbed the "Sapphire Route," after discovering a 1st-century BCE shipwreck off the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. The vessel’s cargo includes large quantities of raw sapphires, beryl, and finished Roman glassware, confirming a direct deep-sea link that bypassed the traditional coastal routes of the Arabian Sea. This discovery reshapes our understanding of the scale and daring of ancient Indian Ocean navigation.
Using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the team mapped the debris field at a depth of 150 meters. The presence of Sri Lankan gemstones alongside Mediterranean ceramics provides the first physical evidence of a specialized luxury trade that connected the early Roman Empire directly with the gem-rich mountains of the Sabaragamuwa region.