Archaeologists have made an incredible discovery off the coast of Saint-Tropez, located in southeastern France. The remains of a 16th-century merchant ship, found over 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) underwater, mark the deepest shipwreck ever found in French waters. This groundbreaking discovery was detailed in a report by France 24 and is set to provide archaeologists with a wealth of information about trade routes in the Mediterranean during the Renaissance period.
The ship, believed to have been sailing from northern Italy, was transporting a load of ceramics and metal bars before it sank. Despite some modern waste being present, such as soda cans and yoghurt pots, the archaeological site remains remarkably well-preserved, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the past.
The Deepest Shipwreck Ever Discovered in French Waters
The shipwreck was located at a depth of 2,567 meters (more than 1.5 miles) beneath the surface of the Mediterranean. According to Arnaud Schaumasse, the head of the culture ministry’s underwater archaeology department, this is “the deepest shipwreck ever found in French territorial waters.”
The discovery was made possible when an underwater drone stumbled upon the wreck in March 2025 while conducting routine surveys of the seabed. The drone, part of a government project to monitor France’s deep-sea resources, initially detected something large in the area. “The sonar detected something quite big, so we went back with the device’s camera, then again with an underwater robot to snap high-quality images,” said Schaumasse, describing the crucial steps that led to confirming the find.
Preserved Like a Time Capsule
Marine archaeologists were thrilled by the remarkable preservation of the shipwreck, as the deep location prevented any recovery or looting. Marine Sadania, an archaeologist involved in the project, explained that “the site — thanks to its depth which prevented any recovery or looting — has remained intact, as if time froze, which is exceptional.”
The site, which has been named “Camarat 4,” contains a wealth of historical items that offer insights into the 16th-century Mediterranean trade. Archaeologists discovered 200 jugs with pinched spouts, some of which were marked with the monogram “IHS,” a symbol representing the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus. These markings point to the jugs’ origin in the Liguria region of northern Italy. Alongside these jugs, the archaeologists also identified 100 yellow plates, two cauldrons, an anchor, and six cannons, all of which were remarkably well-preserved despite the wreck’s age.
The Discovery of an Intact Maritime Cargo
The ship’s cargo offers a rare look at maritime trade during the Renaissance period. The jugs, which appear to have been used for transporting liquids or grains, are intricately designed, some with geometric patterns or plant-inspired motifs. The presence of metal bars in the cargo hints at the commercial nature of the ship, most likely intended for the Mediterranean trade network of the time.
In addition to the jugs and metal bars, the presence of items such as cauldrons and cannons suggests that the ship may have been a merchant vessel equipped for protection during its travels. The six cannons are a fascinating reminder of the turbulent maritime history of the 16th century when piracy and naval warfare were common threats to merchant ships.
Modern Waste and Preservation
Though the discovery is mostly untouched, some modern waste has made its way to the site. This includes items like a soda can and an empty yoghurt pot, which were spotted by the research team. Despite this modern intrusion, the wreck’s depth has played a critical role in its preservation. As Sadania noted, “the site has remained intact, as if time froze, which is exceptional.” The absence of human intervention over the centuries means that the ship’s cargo and other artifacts have remained largely undisturbed, offering researchers a rare opportunity to study a 16th-century maritime vessel in its natural state.
