16th-century shipwreck found — accidentally — at record depth in French waters
While conducting an underwater military operation, France’s navy came upon a remarkable discovery — an uncharted shipwreck at record depths.
The French navy’s CEPHISMER team, a specialized diving and underwater operations unit, accidentally found the wreck at a depth of about 8,200 feet during an exploratory seabed control operation, according to a June 11 Facebook post from France’s Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research.
Officials said this is the deepest wreck ever recorded in waters under French jurisdiction. They have given the wreck the name Camarat 4, according to the post.
The vessel, about 100 feet long and 23 feet wide, is believed to be a 16th-century merchant ship, according to officials.
Hundreds of ceramic items were found among the wreckage, including pitchers and plates, experts said. Some of the pieces were monogrammed with “IHS,” a Greek abbreviation for Christ. Experts said the cargo shows characteristics of Lingurian production and may have originated out of what is modern-day northern Italy.
Experts suspect the depth of the wreck has prevented looting and helped preserve many of the artifacts
Archaeologist Marine Sadania said it is “as if time froze,” at the site, calling it “exceptional,” France24 reported. The discovery was made in March near Saint-Tropez in southeastern France, according to the outlet.
Experts said more research will be conducted at the site, leveraging the knowledge of ceramologists, specialists in naval architecture, artillery, anchors, and material culture, restorers, curators and others, officials said.
Google Translate was used to translate the Drassm Facebook post.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
