Police stumble upon ancient shipwreck amid routine patrol, keep location secret to deter looters

The Guardia di Finanza, Italy's financial police force, said the ship was discovered in June 2025, though officials kept the find confidential until now.

"The unexpected discovery occurred during routine maritime patrol operations conducted by the Guardia di Finanza using the most advanced onboard equipment, which detected an anomaly on the seabed," the February statement read.

The ship's amphorae were designed to transport garum, a fermented fish sauce widely used as a condiment in ancient Rome, according to local outlet Giornale d'Italia. 

The location of the ship will remain strictly confidential, officials said, to "prevent looting and preserve the valuable information contained within the archaeological deposit."

"Since the moment of discovery, the area has been under constant monitoring by the Naval Operations Section of the Guardia di Finanza in Gallipoli," the statement noted.

Authorities hope to recover more cargo from the ship. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Guardia di Finanza for additional information.

The discovery is the latest in a string of ancient shipwreck finds shedding new light on Mediterranean history.