Police officers based in Olbia, Sardinia, discovered ancient Roman artifacts on the seabed off the coast of Porto Rotondo during a routine underwater safety operation. The Sassari Police Headquarters announced the find in late August, marking an unexpected turn for a standard patrol.
The divers initially spotted a piece of broken terracotta while conducting their safety checks. This initial sighting prompted them to return for a second dive, where they located largely intact vessels. The discovery led to a more detailed search of the area for additional archaeological objects. Officials stated that careful dredging allowed for the identification and recovery of three intact terracotta artifacts, specifically a transport basin, along with other minor items.
The recovered artifacts were recorded and handed over to the competent Archaeological Superintendent. Images released in connection with the report show police divers examining the seabed and ancient pottery submerged in the waters off Sardinia. One image depicts an intact amphora nestled among thick seagrass on the seafloor, while another shows a police diver inspecting a large, heavily encrusted vessel.
In the ancient world, amphorae served as containers for transporting materials such as wine, olive oil, and grain. According to the police, the items likely belong to the era when the Roman Republic gave way to the Empire. Officials noted that preliminary analysis hypothesizes the items may date back to a time frame between the second half of the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. The potential origin area is linked to Lazio, Campania, or the Iberian Peninsula.
Specialists will now examine the vessels to determine their precise age and origin. Researchers will also assess whether the vessels came from a larger archaeological site and if more artifacts await discovery. Such discoveries are not unheard of in Italy; earlier this year, authorities announced the find of a Roman merchant shipwreck still carrying its cargo of amphorae in the Ionian Sea. That vessel, dated to the late Imperial era spanning roughly 284 A.D. to 641 A.D., was discovered off the coast of Apulia during a routine maritime patrol in June 2025.