The vessels are believed by the archaeologists to have been transporting wine and other precious goods during the time between the first century AD and the fifth century AD.

Fish sauce and kitchenware
Discovered about 100 meters underwater near the Italian island of Ventotene, the ships are between 1,600 and 1,900 years old, and were laden with - among other things - jars for carrying wine from Italy, olive oil and fish sauce, known as garum from Spain and north Africa, and metal ingots from Italy, believed to have been used in statues or weapons. Also on board were kitchen tools, and certain metal and glass objects which have not yet been identified.

Archaeologists made the find using sonar along the seabed. They noted that the island of Ventotene was used by transport fleets as a place to shelter ships during harsh weather conditions.

"The ships appear to have been heading for safe anchorage, but they never made it," Timmy Gambin, head of archaeology for the Aurora Trust told Reuters.

"So in a relatively small area we have five wrecks...a graveyard of ships."

Ventotene was also used as a location for exiled Roman noblewomen, including, Julia, daughter of Emperor Augustus, who was sent there after she committed adultery.

Gambin told Reuters that the find provides a revealing glimpse at Roman trade, which had evolved from primarily exporting goods to a system of more imports.

No diving please
The ships remain virtually intact because of their depth, but Gambin said deep water diving in the area could result in a great loss to underwater finds in the area.

"There is a race against time," he said. "In the next 10 years, there will be an explosion in mixed-gas diving and these sites will be accessible to ordinary treasure hunters."

The Aurora Trust is planning a return trip to Ventotene in 2010.

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