Divers In Sicily Begin Salvaging The Ancient Greek Ship Gela II That Was Carrying The Legendary Metal Orichalcum

Published October 4, 2024
Updated October 7, 2024

Dating to the 5th century B.C.E., Gela II measures approximately 50 feet long and 16 feet wide, which enabled it to carry large amounts of cargo, including the mythic metal orichalcum that's been linked to Atlantis.

Ancient Greek Ship Gela II

Soprintendenza del Mare/FacebookThe recovery crew hoists timber from the Gela II shipwreck on board.

In 1988, two scuba divers off the coast of Bulala, Sicily discovered the wreck of an ancient Greek ship from the 5th century B.C.E., later named “Gela II.” The ship was initially explored in 1995, and a series of salvage missions then recovered everything from Corinthian helmets to ingots of orichalcum, a rare metal alloy linked to the mythical city of Atlantis.

And now, the ship itself is being pulled from the depths of the Mediterranean. The operation involves divers dismantling and recovering the ship’s wooden remains. The recovered timber will undergo restoration before being displayed at the Archaeological Park of Gela.

This recovery follows the earlier excavation of another ancient Greek shipwreck, “Gela I,” which went on display last year. The team hopes these discoveries will increase interest in Sicily’s underwater heritage, further underlining the historical significance of the area.

Scuba Divers Happen Upon The Wreck Of Gela II Near Sicily

Carpathian Helmets From Gela II

TG TenThe Corinthian helmets and ingots recovered from the wreck of Gela II.

In 1988, two scuba divers exploring the waters off the coast of Bulala, close to the port of Gela in Sicily, came across the wreck of an ancient Greek ship.

Dating to the 5th century B.C.E., the ship measures approximately 50 feet long and 16 feet wide, which once enabled it to carry large amounts of cargo between Mediterranean ports.

Seven years after the ship’s initial discovery, the first systematic investigation was carried out on the wreck. Later expeditions then recovered several Corinthian helmets and pieces of orichalcum, a metal alloy composed of copper and zinc. All of these items are currently on display at the Archaeological Museum of Gela.

Legend holds that orichalcum was a substance from the mythical city of Atlantis. According to Hesiod, a Greek poet from the 7th century B.C.E., orichalcum once covered Atlantis’ most important structures.

Orichalcum Ingots

Sebastiano Tusa/Soprintendenza del Mare-Regione SiciliaOrichalcum ingots extracted from Gela II.

The discovery of these artifacts encouraged multiple underwater archaeology groups and the Italian government to execute a more thorough excavation of the shipwreck. Just this year, researchers have finally raised Gela II from its watery grave, according to a statement from Soprintendenza del Mare.

Gela II Finally Rises From The Depths Of The Mediterranean

Divers At Gela II

Soprintendenza del Mare/FacebookA diver inspects the wood of the ancient Greek ship Gela II.

With support from Soprintendenza del Mare of the Sicilian Region, companies Atlantis of Monreale and Cosiam of Gela set off to Bulala to extract Gela II.

In July, dive crews began the first phase of the operation, dismantling and raising the wood from the wreck. This wood will eventually be transferred to the Superintendent for Cultural Property of Caltanissetta for restoration, after which it will go on display at the Archaeological Park of Gela.

Gela II Recovery

Soprintendenza del Mare/FacebookA diver works to extract pieces of the wreckage of Gela II.

Previously, dive crews recovered a similar vessel named Gela I nearby. This discovery was exhibited at a museum in Bosco Littorio last year.

And with this most recent discovery, the excavation team hopes that such findings will increase interest in the region’s rich archaeological heritage.


After reading about this Greek shipwreck, read up on whether or not Atlantis is real and where the Lost City of Atlantis might be located.

author
Amber Morgan
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Amber Morgan was an Editorial Fellow for All That's Interesting from 2023 through 2025. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in political science and history, in which she earned academic honors, as well as Russian. Previously, she worked as a content creator for America House Kyiv, a Ukrainian organization focused on inspiring and engaging youth through cultural exchanges. She also served as a Public Diplomacy Intern with the U.S. Department of State in 2021.
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John Kuroski
editor
Based in Brooklyn, New York, John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of expertise include modern American history and the ancient Near East. In an editing career spanning 17 years, he previously served as managing editor of Elmore Magazine in New York City for seven years.
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Morgan, Amber. "Divers In Sicily Begin Salvaging The Ancient Greek Ship Gela II That Was Carrying The Legendary Metal Orichalcum." AllThatsInteresting.com, October 4, 2024, https://allthatsinteresting.com/gela-ii-shipwreck. Accessed July 16, 2025.