Marine archaeologists using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have located a well-preserved shipwreck in the deep waters off the Ionian coast of Calabria. The vessel, a large Hellenistic merchant ship dating to the 2nd century BCE, was found at a depth of 300 meters. Its cargo includes hundreds of Rhodian amphorae and, significantly, several large bronze and marble statues that appear to be high-quality copies of earlier Classical Greek masterpieces.
Initial scans of the site suggest that the ship was likely en route from the Eastern Mediterranean to Rome, carrying luxury goods for the burgeoning Roman elite. The presence of anoxic conditions at this depth has preserved large sections of the ship's wooden hull and rigging components. Recovery efforts are being planned using specialized ROVs to bring the statuary to the surface for conservation and study.