Divers Discover Well-Preserved Roman Helmet in Mediterranean Sea Battle Site

Recent underwater archaeological discoveries across the Mediterranean have unveiled significant artifacts shedding light on ancient civilizations and maritime conflicts. Near the Egadi Islands off Sicily, divers found a remarkably preserved Roman Montefortino helmet and other weaponry believed to be from the 241 BC Battle of the Egadi Islands, the final naval clash of the First Punic War, which marked Rome's ascendancy over Carthage. Similarly, in Salzburg’s Old Town, archaeologists uncovered a large, ornate bronze ship's bow dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century AD, likely from a luxurious Roman villa, representing the largest bronze artifact found in the area since the mid-20th century. Meanwhile, off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, a trove of relics from the sunken ancient city of Canopus, including statues and infrastructure remains, has been recovered, highlighting the region’s historical importance in trade and religion during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. These finds not only enrich our understanding of Mediterranean history but also highlight the region's extensive cultural and economic exchanges, as exemplified by the Nuragic bronze figurines from Sardinia, which reveal metal trading networks dating back to 1000 BCE. Together, these discoveries underscore the Mediterranean's role as a dynamic hub of ancient civilizations, warfare, and commerce.