Roman ship Marausa is at Baglio Anselmi for desalination; future placement already contentious.

Last Updated: October 4, 2023

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The recovery operation of a Roman shipwreck found in the waters of Misiliscemi in July 2020, called “Marausa 2,” has been completed under the direction of archaeologists and specialized underwater personnel. However, there are concerns that, like the first shipwreck found in 1990, this one might also end up in a different location than Marausa. A deputy named Cristina Ciminnisi has submitted a request for information on the future placement of the shipwreck, considering the delays in finding a museum location for the previous discovery. The community of Misiliscemi wonders if a museum in Marausa, which would promote the historical and cultural value of the findings for tourism development, was considered. The mayor of Misiliscemi also supports this idea and hopes to meet with the regional councilor for Cultural Heritage to discuss it. The regional councilor responded by stating that the shipwreck will be temporarily housed at Baglio Anselmi in Marsala for conservation treatment and will then be placed in a museum within the territory of the province of Trapani. Ciminnisi finds this response too vague and hopes this temporary placement doesn’t become permanent.