In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, researchers have uncovered the remains of a 16th-century merchant ship off the picturesque coast of Saint-Tropez, situated in southeastern France. This significant find, located over 2.5 kilometers (approximately 1.5 miles) underwater, represents the deepest shipwreck ever found in French territorial waters. The details of this extraordinary discovery were reported by France 24 and promise to unlock a treasure trove of information about the Mediterranean trade routes during the Renaissance period.

The merchant vessel is believed to have embarked from northern Italy, ferrying a cargo that included ceramics and metal bars prior to its untimely sinking. While some modern debris, such as soda cans and yoghurt pots, were present at the site, the archaeological remains themselves are remarkably well-preserved, providing an exceptional glimpse into a bygone era.

The Deepest Shipwreck Ever Found

The shipwreck was located at an impressive depth of 2,567 meters (more than 1.5 miles) beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. Arnaud Schaumasse, who leads the underwater archaeology department within the culture ministry, stated, “This is the deepest shipwreck ever found in French territorial waters.” This designation highlights the significance of the find not just for France but also for maritime archaeology as a whole.

The discovery was made possible thanks to an underwater drone, which came across the wreck during routine seabed surveys in March 2025. This drone, part of a governmental initiative aimed at monitoring France’s deep-sea resources, initially detected a large object in the area. “The sonar picked up something substantial, prompting us to return with the drone's camera, and subsequently employ an underwater robot to capture high-quality images,” Schaumasse explained, detailing the steps taken to verify the existence of the wreck.

A Time Capsule from the Past

Marié Sadania, an archaeologist involved in the project, expressed excitement over the exceptional preservation of the shipwreck. She noted that the deep-sea location has safeguarded the site from recovery or looting, allowing it to remain “as if time froze—an extraordinary situation.” The excavation site, now dubbed “Camarat 4,” is filled with historical artifacts that provide crucial insights into trade during the 16th century in the Mediterranean.

Among the fascinating discoveries were 200 jugs featuring pinched spouts, many adorned with the monogram “IHS,” symbolizing the first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus. These markings suggest that the jugs originated from the Liguria region of northern Italy. Also uncovered were 100 yellow plates, two cauldrons, an anchor, and six cannons, all of which were astonishingly preserved despite their age.

Insights into Maritime Trade

The ship's cargo provides a rare and valuable perspective on maritime commerce during the Renaissance. The intricately designed jugs, some embellished with geometric patterns or motifs inspired by nature, seem to have been intended for transporting liquids or grains. The presence of metal bars indicates the commercial ambitions of the ship, which was likely engaged in the Mediterranean trade network of its time.

Moreover, the existence of cauldrons and cannons on board suggests that this merchant vessel was equipped for protection against the prevalent piracy and naval warfare that posed constant threats to merchant ships during the 16th century.

Modern Waste and Its Impact

While this shipwreck represents a largely untouched archaeological site, some modern waste has found its way to the underwater grave. Items such as a soda can and an empty yoghurt pot were noted by the research team. Despite this modern intrusion, the depth of the wreck has been crucial for its preservation, as Sadania highlighted: “The site has remained intact, almost as if time has frozen, which is exceptional.” The absence of human interference over the centuries has allowed the ship's cargo and artifacts to remain largely undisturbed, thus offering researchers a rare opportunity to study a 16th-century maritime vessel in its natural habitat.