Off the coast of Bulala, Sicily, the wreck of an ancient Greek ship, named Gela II, has been recovered from the depths of the Mediterranean. Discovered by two scuba divers in 1988, this vessel dates back to the 5th century B.C.E. and measures approximately 50 feet in length and 16 feet in width, lying about 1,000 feet deep.
The shipwreck was first explored in 1995, leading to the salvage of various artifacts, including Corinthian helmets and 86 ingots of orichalcum, a rare metal alloy associated with the legendary city of Atlantis. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, orichalcum was used in the construction of significant structures in Atlantis.
Currently, divers are in the process of recovering the wooden remains of Gela II, which will undergo restoration before being displayed at the Archaeological Park of Gela. This effort follows a previous excavation of another ancient Greek shipwreck, Gela I, whose remains were exhibited last year in a museum in Bosco Littorio. Such discoveries are expected to enhance interest in Sicily's rich historical narrative.