Robot exploring France's deepest shipwreck finds cannons, ceramics

World Robot exploring France's deepest shipwreck finds cannons and ceramics that sank 5 centuries ago April 29, 2026 / 2:39 PM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google Deep below the surface of the Mediterranean Sea off the French coast, the pincer of a remotely guided underwater robot delicately closes around a centuries-old jug lying near a 16th-century shipwreck."You have to be extremely precise so as not to damage the site, so as not to stir up sediment," says navy officer Sebastien, who cannot give his second name for security reasons.A two-hour journey from the French Riviera, Sebastien is overseeing the first of several archaeological missions on the deepest shipwreck in French territorial waters.A routine army survey of the seabed uncovered the 16th-century merchant ship by chance last year in waters off the coast of Ramatuelle, close to Saint-Tropez. Pilots specializing in underwater robots from the French Navy, along with researchers, watch live feeds on screens showing the "ROV C 4000," a remotely operated vehicle, during an archaeological mission on the wreck of the CAMARA 4 in southeastern France, April 7, 2026. Thibaud MORITZ /AFP via Getty Images Archaeologists believe the ship was sailing from northern Italy loaded with ceramics and metal bars before it sank.Now the French navy and the culture ministry's underwater archaeology department are back to inspect the surviving artifacts lost more than 1.5 miles below sea level.Cannons and piles of jugs The navy is keeping secret the location of the wreckage site, which they have dubbed "Camarat 4"  — even if most people would unlikely have the means to reach a site so deep. The sun has barely risen when the mission's navy tugboat arrives on site, carrying an underwater robot and two large containers acting as makeshift offices for marine archaeologists.Its crew lower the robot — which is equipped with cameras as well as pincers — into the water.A navy officer guides the robot down, linke...