The Skerki banks are a 700 square km archaeological site located at 200 meters below the sea level, in the international waters among Sicily, Sardinia and Tunisia, at the crossroads of Mediterranean ancient and modern trade routes. It hosts 5 Roman shipwrecks ranging from the 1st Century BC to the 4th AC. According to the information provided by the Sea Authorities of the Sicily Region, the largest ship measures 30 meters and contains amphorae and earthenware vases, as well as ancient coins, bronze and glass utensils. This unique cultural, historical and artistic heritage will finally be protected as it deserves.
By notifying the discovery of the Skerki Bancs site, Italy has become the first country to activate the protection mechanism provided for by the 2001 Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. The initiative, which was carried forth by the Sea Authorities of the Sicily Region together with the Italian Ministries of International Cooperation and Culture, is the first example of underwater heritage cooperation. Joint research and protection activities will now be carried out on site, under our country’s supervision.
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