A French Navy deep-sea exploration team, CEPHISMER, has made a stunning discovery: an uncharted shipwreck lying off the coast of Ramatuelle (Var, Provence) at an unprecedented depth.
The operation was part of France’s national strategy to strengthen maritime sovereignty while also advancing scientific knowledge of the ocean depths.
A Remarkably Preserved 16th-Century Merchant Ship
Measuring about 30 meters long and 7 meters wide, the shipwreck is believed to be a large 16th-century merchant vessel. Its remarkably intact cargo includes around 200 colorful faience jars, many of which remain embedded in the seabed sediment.
Faience pottery — glazed earthenware often associated with both ritual and daily uses — is a classic archaeological find. These vessels, typically made from fine-grained siliceous clay and coated with a shiny, colored glaze, are iconic remnants of Renaissance trade.
These round jars, with pressed necks and ribbon-style handles, feature decorative motifs in the Ligurian style. Many bear the “IHS” Christogram, widely used in Western Christian traditions, alongside intricate geometric and botanical patterns. The ship also carried about 100 plates, likely also of Ligurian origin.
Other artifacts found at the site include anchors, cannons, and cooking hearths, providing rare insights into daily life aboard a Renaissance-era merchant ship. Many more items still lie buried beneath the sand, waiting to be unearthed.
Photo: Drassm – Marine Nationale
A Unique Find for Underwater Cultural Heritage
According to France’s Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture and the Department of Underwater Archaeology (Drassm) at the Ministry of Culture, this is the deepest underwater cultural heritage discovery ever recorded within French jurisdiction.
Its exceptional depth has shielded the wreck from natural decay and looting, preserving it like a near-perfect time capsule from the 1500s. Nicknamed “Camarat 4,” the wreck offers an unprecedented opportunity for scientific study and historical analysis.
Planned next steps include detailed photogrammetric mapping, selective recovery of key artifacts, and a broad, interdisciplinary investigation by a team of experts ranging from naval architects and munitions specialists to ceramicists and conservationists.
A Reminder to Protect Our Seas
The discovery also highlights the urgent need to protect marine environments. Despite its remote location, researchers found traces of microplastics and larger plastic debris around the wreck, underscoring how human pollution reaches even the ocean’s hidden depths.
This remarkable find reinforces the importance of public awareness and conservation of our seas and underwater heritage. As France expands its deep-sea exploration capabilities, the Camarat 4 shipwreck marks a significant step in uncovering the ocean’s secrets — offering academics, scientists, and the public a glimpse into the lost stories of maritime archaeology.
