A 2,600-year-old Phoenician shipwreck was unearthed on the southeastern coast of Spain, near the city of Mazarrón. – the Spanish newspaper “El Pais” reported on Monday.
Called Mazarroni II, dating from 610-580 BC, it is 8.15 meters long and 2.25 meters wide and is filled with lead. It had to be extracted from the destructive effect of sea currents and the protective pressure of the existing metal.
The process of retrieving the ship lasted for 40 days and was completed on Thursday. It was led by a group of experts in underwater archaeological sites and funded by the Regional Ministry of Culture of the Autonomous Community of Murcia.
– This is one of the most important ancient ships that have been found in the world, – admitted Carmen Maria Conesa, the head of the Ministry of Culture of Murcia.
The wreckage will now go to the laboratory of the National Museum of Underwater Archeology in Cartagena (ARQUA), where it will undergo a 4-year preservation process. The excavated elements will serve as a valuable source of knowledge about the Phoenician period.
– Studying the shipbuilding methods used by the Phoenicians will allow us to deepen our knowledge of sailing (at the time) of this Mediterranean nation. Fragments of rope found at the site, which protect Phoenician knots, will also provide information in this context, said Carlos de Juan, a specialist at the University of Valencia who led the project to restore the ruins.
During the search, the remains of the anchor were unexpectedly found.
Main image credit: X/@el_pais
