An ancient shipwreck has been discovered in Italy and scientists are hoping to study the contents.

The sunken vessel was discovered after fishermen caught pottery fragments in their nets.

An automated underwater rover discovered the site at 60 to 70 metres and police divers investigated the 2,000-year-old wreck in the waters near the port city of Genoa.

It contained hundreds of amphorae, or clay jars, used for shipping oil, olives, wine and other food products.

Many of the jars were damaged, divers only managed to recover one, but it is believed that hundreds more have been preserved with the contents sealed inside.

The ship is now being monitored and protected.