Police officers on a routine dive in Italy recently made an unusual discovery recently: ancient Roman artifacts resting on the seabed, 2,000 years later.The artifacts were uncovered off the coast of Porto Rotondo in Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, news agency Cover Images reported.The discovery was announced by the Sassari Police Headquarters in late August.DIVERS UNCOVER HUNDREDS OF ANCIENT RELICS NEAR SHIPWRECK UNTOUCHED FOR 2,100 YEARSThe officers were based in Olbia, Sardinia.They spotted the ancient objects while conducting an underwater safety operation.They first noticed a piece of broken terracotta — prompting them to return for a second dive, when they discovered the largely intact vessels.Police divers discovered ancient Roman artifacts resting on the seabed off Porto Rotondo on the Italian island of Sardinia.
(Italian Ministry of Culture/Cover Images)The find led divers to conduct a more detailed search of the area for other archaeological objects."Careful dredging action allowed the identification and subsequent recovery of three intact terracotta artifacts, specifically a transport basin, along with other minor items," officials said, as Cover Images noted.POLICE OPERATION TAKES UNEXPECTED TURN WHEN OFFICERS STUMBLE UPON ANCIENT BURIAL CAVE"The artifacts were recorded and made available to the competent Archaeological Superintendent."Pictures show police divers examining the seabed and ancient pottery submerged in the waters off Sardinia.Divers conducted a more detailed search of the area after finding ancient artifacts off the coast of Sardinia.(Italian Ministry of Culture/Cover Images)One image shows an intact amphora nestled among thick seagrass on the seafloor — while another shows a police diver examining a large, heavily encrusted vessel.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERIn the ancient world, amphorae were used to transport a variety of materials, including wine, olive oil and grain.Police said the artif...