‘Extraordinary’ Roman helmet from scene of ancient sea battle unearthed in Mediterranean
Deep-sea divers uncover 2,200-year-old Roman artefacts near Sicily
- Deep-sea divers have recovered a rare Roman-era helmet in an "extraordinary state of preservation" at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, near the Egadi Islands.
- The "Montefortino" type helmet is believed to have been lost during the Battle of the Aegades in 241 BC.
- The battle was a pivotal naval engagement of the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage.
- The better-trained Romans defeated the Carthaginians, led to Carthage surrendering Sicily and establishing Rome as the dominant power in the Western Mediterranean.
- Researchers also uncovered a large bronze handle and performed CT scans on other metal artefacts, including weapons like swords and spears used in the 241 BC battle, from the same site.