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A Roman cargo ship, dating from AD 20 to 50, has been found in the Swiss lake of Neuchâtel. A Roman shipwreck discovered in Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland, has yielded hundreds of exceptionally preserved artifacts-including ceramics, amphorae, chariot parts, and weapons-offering a rare, intact snapshot of early Roman trade and transport between AD 20-50. The cargo's condition is so extraordinary that it is considered one of Switzerland's most significant inland-water Roman finds to date. Identified via aerial photography in November 2024, followed by dives and excavation in 2025. Represents the remains of a Roman merchant vessel operating in a freshwater transport network. The finds so far include Several hundred ceramic vessels: dishes, plates, cups, bowls-mostly regional Swiss Plateau products. Amphorae from Spain: evidence of long-distance olive oil trade. Tools and utensils: insights into daily life and shipboard activity. Chariot and harness components, including remarkably preserved wheels— the only Roman examples ever found in Switzerland. Weapons (including swords): suggesting the merchant ship traveled under military escort. The presence of: Two gladii A military pickaxe (dolabra) A belt buckle A fibula used to fasten a soldier's cloak ...suggests the cargo was either: Escorted by Roman soldiers, or Intended for a Roman legion operating along the Rhine frontier. This aligns with the early-1st-century dating (Tiberius era). Details about the swords discovered: Sword 1 (the sheathed gladius) Still inside its wood-and-metal scabbard Scabbard construction suggests: Wooden core Metal fittings (likely tinned or bronze alloy) Typical of early-1st-century legionary equipment Sword 2 Described simply as a complete gladius No scabbard mentioned Why the swords survived so well: Lake Neuchâtel's chalk-rich, low-oxygen freshwater environment is known to preserve organics unusually well. This explains: Survival of the scabbard, Preservation of wooden chariot wheels and Intact wicker basket found with other cargo https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/03/rare-roman-treasures-found-on-shipwreck-in-swiss-lake/157564