Off the coast of Sicily, divers have uncovered a remarkably preserved Roman-era shipwreck that had lain untouched on the seabed for over two millennia.
Because no one had disturbed it, the wreck offers an unusually clear glimpse into the distant past.
Italy's culture minister hailed the discovery as one of the most significant underwater finds in years.
Archaeological experts estimate that the ship sailed during the first or second century BC.
Ancient wrecks such as this serve as invaluable records of a vanished world.
They reveal how goods were transported, how vessels were constructed, and how ordinary people lived.
Studying the cargo and the structure can even hint at where the ship was heading before it sank.
Every detail adds a new piece to our understanding of Roman civilisation.