ACCIONA Energía discovers ancient shipwreck off southern Italy

ACCIONA Energía has discovered a shipwreck off the coast of Calabria (Italy), dating from between the 5th and 4th centuries BC and containing more than 300 amphorae.

According to initial scientific assessments, the shipwreck and its cargo could provide valuable insights into trade routes and maritime exchanges in the ancient Mediterranean, as well as the production and distribution of wine in Magna Graecia, the historically Greek-speaking area of southern Italy, encompassing Calabria, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, and Sicily.

Finds of this nature can help researchers piece together the economic and cultural connections that linked communities across the Mediterranean long before the emergence of the Roman Empire.

The discovery was made during feasibility studies for an offshore wind project, in coordination with the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria and the Province of Vibo Valentia (SABAP-RC-VV).

These activities form part of a comprehensive seabed survey program aimed at the early identification of potential archaeological, environmental and technical constraints, to ensure the responsible development of the project.

To carry out this work, advanced technologies were used to survey and analyze the seabed, together with a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in underwater archaeology, geology, marine biology and other scientific disciplines. The results of the research were submitted to the competent authorities, which initiated the procedures required for the protection and preservation of underwater cultural heritage.

CULTURAL PRESERVATION

Preventive archaeology is a fundamental tool to enable the development of new infrastructure while protecting historical and cultural heritage. As part of this approach, ACCIONA Energía funded and supported extensive seabed investigations to identify and assess heritage assets, helping to ensure their protection during the future development of the project.

Following the identification of the site and given its archaeological significance, SABAP-RC-VV launched a dedicated project for the study, recovery, conservation and enhancement of the shipwreck and its cargo. The project is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, which supports all research, recovery and conservation activities.

The studies also enabled ACCIONA Energía to optimize the preliminary design of the offshore wind project by avoiding both the area where the archaeological site is located and other areas identified as particularly environmentally sensitive.