A team of underwater archaeologists from the University of Naples has recently uncovered a late medieval helmet in the waters surrounding the serene and uninhabited island of Vendicari, nestled off Sicily’s southeastern coast.
A ‘cabᴀsset’: used during the medieval period, 15th century. Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art
This ancient relic, recovered during a meticulously planned scuba diving expedition at a depth of approximately 5 meters, represents a tangible link to Sicily’s storied past.
The artifact, identified as a cabᴀsset, a type of helmet worn by infantry and light cavalry from the mid-sixteenth to the seventeenth century, was found intact during a scuba diving expedition led by Matteo Azzaro, an honorary inspector for Submerged Cultural Heritage. Azzaro collaborated with professors Enzo Morra and Leopoldo Repola from the University of Naples in the retrieval of the helmet.
“The sea continues to yield artifacts of great scientific value, useful for reconstructing the various phases of our history,” remarked Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, the ᴀssessor for Cultural Heritage of the Sicilian Region, emphasizing the significance of underwater archaeology in uncovering pivotal episodes of the island’s past.
The helmet’s design features a semi-spherical or ogival skull with a low, undulating upper crest, or reinforced by small metal balls. Such helmets were commonly worn by infantry troops during the late medieval period and were also utilized by embarked troops.
The discovery prompts further investigation in the area to ascertain whether it is an isolated find or linked to the presence of a wreck site from the late medieval or modern era.
The coastline opposite the island is predominantly a nature reserve, with historic remnants like the ruins of the Torre Sveva, a 15th-century defensive tower constructed to safeguard a small port and ᴀssociated trading warehouses.
In the days ahead, as researchers embark on further underwater surveys and delve deeper into Vendicari’s submerged heritage, the stage is set for an odyssey of discovery.
