Recovery of ancient Greek shipwreck in Sicily reveals rare orichalcum, the fabled ‘Atlantis metal’

Off the coast of Sicily, near the ancient city of Gela, recovery operations are underway for the 5th-century BCE Greek shipwreck, “Gela II.” The wreck, discovered in 1980 by divers near Bulala, is a vital historical find that has yielded numerous treasures, most notably orichalcum, a metal alloy with connections to the legendary city of Atlantis.

Recovery of ancient Greek shipwreck in Sicily reveals rare orichalcum, the fabled 'Atlantis metal'Bars of orichalcum, Gela museum, Sicily. Credit: Emanuele riela, Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Gela II wreck, which lies about 1,000 feet underwater, is remarkably well-preserved. Underwater archaeologists first investigated the site in the 1990s, but it was in 2015 and 2017 that significant discoveries were made. Over these two expeditions, 86 ingots of orichalcum were recovered from the seabed.

Orichalcum, derived from the Greek word “oreikhalkos” meaning “mountain copper,” has long been a subject of fascination. Classical sources like Plato’s Critias describe orichalcum as a highly valuable metal, second only to gold. In the mythical city of Atlantis, orichalcum was said to cover the walls of the Temple of Poseidon and Cleito, giving them a red gleam. While there has been much debate over the metal’s composition, modern analysis of the ingots from Gela II reveals that they are an alloy composed of 75-80% copper and 14-20% zinc, with traces of nickel, lead, and iron.

According to Sebastiano Tusa, former superintendent of Sicily’s Sea Office, the ingots recovered from the shipwreck likely originated from Greece or Asia Minor. “The discovery of orichalcum ingots is significant because nothing similar has ever been found,” Tusa noted. “We knew of orichalcum from ancient texts and a few ornamental objects, but these ingots are unprecedented.”

Gela II, measuring approximately 50 feet long and 16 feet wide, was a merchant vessel that would have transported goods across the Mediterranean. In addition to the orichalcum ingots, archaeologists have uncovered Corinthian helmets, amphorae, pottery, and personal belongings of the crew.

The current recovery operation, led by the Superintendence of the Sea of the Sicilian Region, in collaboration with specialized companies Atlantis and Cosiam, is expected to take around 270 days to complete. The project involves dismantling the ship’s timber remains from the ocean floor for restoration. These timbers will be transferred to the Superintendent for Cultural Property of Caltanissetta before being displayed at the Archaeological Park of Gela.


This recovery follows the successful excavation of another shipwreck, Gela I, in the same area. The artifacts from Gela I are now housed in a museum in Bosco Littorio, and the hope is that Gela II will attract similar cultural and tourist interest. Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicilian regional councilor for Cultural Heritage, said: “The sea of Gela has returned finds crucial for the reconstruction of its history.”

Regione Siciliana

Related Posts

New study shows Britain’s economy did not collapse after the Romans left

New study shows Britain’s economy did not collapse after the Romans left

A new study has indicated that Britain’s industrial economy did not collapse with the Romans’ withdrawal, but instead continued for centuries, and actually reached its major revival…

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

In a breakthrough find, an Egyptian archaeological team has unearthed a previously unknown and intact copy of the Canopus Decree, which dates back to 238 BCE. The…

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

New research has demonstrated that the majority of people buried in monumental mounds in northwestern Brandenburg, Germany, around Seddin, were not locals but individuals believed to have…

Archaeological sites with ancient carvings found atop Phu Khat Mountain

Archaeological sites with ancient carvings found atop Phu Khat Mountain

Thailand’s wildlife rangers and archaeologists have recently announced a significant discovery on the summit of Phu Khat Mountain, the highest summit of Phu Khat Wildlife Sanctuary. At…

Trading human remains: Why bones should not become a commodity

Trading human remains: Why bones should not become a commodity

by Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol — In recent years, skulls, bones, and even modified human remains have appeared with increasing frequency on online…

Evidence shows Homo naledi deliberately buried their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

Evidence shows Homo naledi deliberately buried their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

Deep inside the Rising Star cave system in South Africa, researchers have discovered what is possibly the oldest known evidence of deliberate burial by a non-human species…