Marine archaeologists using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have located the remains of a 13th-century merchant vessel in the deep waters off the Comoros Islands. The shipwreck, which originated from the Fatimid Caliphate's trade networks, contains a pristine cargo of carved rock crystal ewers, Yemeni incense, and a massive cache of black pepper preserved in sealed ceramic jars.
This find is the first of its kind in the Western Indian Ocean, providing concrete evidence of the extensive reach of Fatimid maritime trade. The ship's hull remains largely intact due to the cold, low-oxygen environment at the seafloor, offering researchers a chance to study medieval shipbuilding techniques used for long-distance monsoon navigation.