During a seabed inspection, the French navy accidentally discovered the merchant ship Kamarata-4, which now holds the record as the deepest shipwreck in France’s territorial waters. The vessel lies at a depth of 2.6 km near Saint-Tropez, surpassing the previous record-holder, the submarine La Minerve, which was found at 2.3 km, according to a report from Newsmaker via UNN.

The 30-meter-long shipwreck contained approximately 200 ceramic jugs and plates originating from Liguria, Italy, many of which still retain visible patterns, providing valuable insight into the craftsmanship and trade of the period. In addition to the ceramics, archaeologists identified six cannons and two boilers, all clearly visible through underwater camera footage, suggesting the ship may have been armed for protection during its voyages.

Experts are excited about the find due to its exceptional depth and state of preservation, offering a rare opportunity to study maritime trade and naval technology in the Mediterranean. The discovery also highlights the challenges of underwater archaeology at extreme depths, where pressure and limited visibility make exploration and recovery operations particularly difficult.

The Kamarata-4 find adds to the historical record of French territorial waters and underscores the potential for further deep-sea archaeological discoveries, providing a unique glimpse into the maritime history and trade networks of the region.