New findings discovered by divers during the extraction of a Phoenician shipwreck in Spain
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Reported by La Brújula Verde:
The much-anticipated start of the extraction of the Phoenician shipwreck located in Mazarrón, Murcia, named Mazarrón 2—currently the most complete ancient ship found in the Mediterranean—has begun with a series of new discoveries that are expanding the horizons of archaeological knowledge regarding maritime trade in antiquity.
A specialized team from the University of Valencia (UV), under the direction of lead researcher Agustín Diez Castillo and with the collaboration of Carlos de Juan, director of the extraction, has launched an ambitious operation to recover the remains of the ancient shipwreck. The intervention not only promises to recover valuable archaeological pieces, but it is also revealing unexpected materials that had remained hidden under the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea until now.
The team consists of a dozen experts, including three students from the UV’s Master’s Degree in Archaeology, specialized restorers, six professional divers trained in underwater archaeology, and an expert in documentation and communication from the University of Alicante. Additionally, part of this same team has participated in previous successful projects, such as the renowned ‘El Sec’ underwater project in Mallorca, which has provided the group with solid experience in handling submerged archaeological materials.
To ensure the safety of both the artifacts and the team, a buoy barrier has been implemented at the base camp to mark the work area and restrict access to onlookers. This is crucial because the recovered pieces are extremely fragile due to their prolonged exposure to the marine environment. During the first weeks of September, coinciding with the tourist season, security measures were significantly intensified to prevent any incidents.
To facilitate the work, the Ministry of Culture has provided a platform equipped with advanced systems, such as air compressors and water pumps that allow sediment suction underwater, as well as weights to ensure divers can work efficiently at the correct depth.
One of the most significant technical innovations of this project has been the creation of 3D models of the 22 main pieces of the wreck, representing a major advance in the planning and execution of the extraction. This allows the team to anticipate any challenges and design safer solutions for handling the most fragile objects.
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Very interesting article. I found out that the Phoenician wreckage dates back to 650 - 600 BC and it was primarily transporting lead ingots.