Ancient naval battle site 'rammed' with relics of war

On March 10 241BC a huge naval battle took place off the coast of Sicily between the Romans and their archenemies the Carthaginians. It put an end to the First Punic War and set the Roman Republic on its militaristic path to becoming an Empire. The Battle of the Egadi Islands is the first ancient naval battle site ever discovered and it is now being surveyed in minute detail. Directed by the Soprintendenza del Mare and RPM Nautical Foundation , the Egadi Island Survey was established nearly 10 years ago. They have been joined by The University of Nottingham's underwater archaeologist Dr Jon Henderson who is using some of the latest underwater archaeology techniques to help survey and map this remarkable battle site. Working at depths of between 40 to 120 metres they are surveying an area which currently stands at some five square kilometres. It is littered with the relics of this decisive war.