The wreck of a 2,600-year-old Phoenician ship was excavated off the coast of southeastern Spain, near the city of Mazarron. – reported the Spanish daily “El Pais” on Monday.
The wreck called Mazarron II, dating from 610-580 BC, is 8.15 meters long and 2.25 meters wide and loaded with lead ingots. It had to be extracted due to the destructive influence of sea currents and the pressure of the existing metal protection.
The process of retrieving the ship lasted 40 days and ended on Thursday. It was led by a team of specialists in underwater archaeological sites and was financed by the Regional Ministry of Culture of the Autonomous Community of Murcia.
– This is one of the most important ancient ships found intact in the world – admitted Carmen Maria Conesa, head of the Ministry of Culture of Murcia.
Parts of the wreck will now go to the laboratory of the National Museum of Underwater Archeology in Cartagena (ARQUA), where a four-year conservation process will be carried out. The extracted elements will serve as a valuable source of knowledge about Phoenician times.
– Studying the shipbuilding techniques used by the Phoenicians will allow us to deepen our knowledge of navigation (in the times of) this Mediterranean nation. Pieces of rope found in this place, which preserve knots from the Phoenician period, will also provide information in this regard, said Carlos de Juan, a specialist from the University of Valencia, who led the wreck recovery project.
During the excavation work, the remains of an anchor were also unexpectedly found.
Main photo source: X/@el_pais