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A 15-year-old boy diving with friends off La Ministra river beach in Puerto Real, Cádiz, got more than he bargained for when he spotted something unusual buried in the seabed: a Roman amphora.

 

Alejandro Cristino, who often spends his summers diving in the area around the Río San Pedro area, noticed the object half-buried under the water over the weekend. With the help of his friends, he carefully brought the large ceramic piece to the surface and quickly realised it could be something special.

 

The amphora, which shows signs of long-term submersion, has now been handed over to the authorities and placed under the care of the Andalucían Centre for Underwater Archaeology, based in Cádiz city. Experts from the Territorial Delegation of Culture and Historical Heritage of the Junta de Andalucía will carry out further analysis to determine its origin.

 

So far, all indications suggest the piece dates back to the 1st century AD, placing it firmly in the Roman period. If confirmed, the find could offer new insight into the rich commercial history of the Bay of Cádiz, an area known to have been an important hub of maritime activity in ancient times.

 

The area where the amphora was found, the marshy, muddy seabed opposite the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park, has seen other archaeological discoveries in the past, making it a hotspot for historical finds.

 

Following the news, both Puerto Real Ayuntamiento and the Junta de Andalucía have reminded the public of the importance of reporting accidental discoveries like this to the authorities.

 

“We ask that any finds are reported through the proper channels to ensure they’re protected and studied correctly,” officials said in a statement.

 

As for Alejandro, what started as a typical summer’s day out turned into a moment he will treasure for a lifetime. Not many teenagers can say they’ve gone diving and come up with a piece of Roman history!

 

 

Image: Daniel Shipilov/Pexels