In 1967, a storm brought to light the wreckage in the north east of Procchio (La Guardiola Gulf), the remains of a small Roman cargo ship in good condition. The presence of the wreck had long been known to the inhabitants of the area who would recover the sulfur loaves for the vines.

A few meters deep, (not currently visible because covered by sand) on a sandy bottom in the vicinity of Campo Hague, Gino Brambilla worked early recovery followed by an underwater reconnaissance campaign coordinated by the Superintendency. In the survey of 1969 was detected a hull exceptionally preserved for a dí length about 16 meters. The ship, which integrates had to measure twenty meters, was probably a boat from the small coastal cabotage, with a single tree on which to hoist a square sail. Bricks with combustion traces were found on the bridge, in the place where yes lit the fire to meet the needs of the board. Tiles and tiles fastened with copper nails, were perhaps intended to cover the aft cabin. The hull was covered with slabs day lead to above the waterline at maximum load; the coating had to protect the planking from shipworm (marine molluscs which gnaw undeclared Wood) and 1I his weight contributed to the set. The construction technique was the type to “carrier hull” with planking held together by day softwood tabs, joined by rungs and fixed to the frames with large copper nails and numerous hardwood ankles. The wreck, now oriented with the bow toward the north, was perhaps surprised by a storm and sank in the bay of Procchio with his load between 130 and 200 A.D.

THE ON-BOARD EQUIPMENT
Among the finds attributed to the endowment of the ship, the hull returned a ‘olletta still sealed that has preserved its content of olives and a copper situla with considerable traces of use. Near the right side of the hull three oil lamps were found, one, African production, bear the seal IUNI ALEXI. Numerous fragments of pottery in common use for dining room and kitchen along with some mortars Macinello completed the on-board equipment to meet the daily needs of the crew. On the bottom of the hold, beneath the copper situla, perhaps used for caulking, they were found the skeletal remains of a small dog and a big rat. At the time of discovery it was recovered on the sandy bottom, a hawser coiled in good condition. Heavy and large granite pebbles were perhaps used as ballast, in order to distribute the weight of the vessel. The use of the ballast it was necessary to balance the weight of the load. The inexperience in stevedoring operations was due not uncommon even shipwrecks in the protected waters of the ports.