Ancient Roman shipwreck discovered in Italy

Police in Italy have discovered an ancient Roman ship wreck, thought to be at least 1,600 years old.

It was found during a routine sea patrol near Gallipoli in south Italy.

The discovery was kept secret for months to make sure thieves didn't hear about it and try and steal artefacts from the wreck.

Experts believe the vessel dates from the late Roman period, around the 4th Century AD, and is thought to have sailed from North Africa.

In June, officers on patrol in the Ionian Sea noticed something strange on the seabed.

They sent divers down to investigate further and found a large Roman oneraria – a ship designed to transport goods and alerted archaeologists.

Officials said the wreck is exceptionally well preserved, with parts of the hull still intact and the items it was carrying mostly undamaged.

It turns out the ship carried a fishy cargo.

The wreck contains dozens of ceramic jars called amphorae which hold garum, a fish sauce that was really important in Roman cooking, and often traded abroad.

Researchers plan to build a 3D digital model of the ship and its cargo, so that the ship can be studied without disturbing it.