Mallorca’s modern reputation as a party and tourist hub contrasts with its deep historical significance, which archaeology continues to uncover — most notably a discovery estimated to be 1,700 years old.
Archaeology: Investigating a Find From the Roman Era
An extraordinary discovery tied to archaeology was made some time ago on one of the busiest beaches of Palma de Mallorca – the late Roman wreck of the merchant ship Ses Fontanelles. What’s remarkable is that large parts of the cargo remain in excellent condition, even though the ship sank in the 4th century, as the University of Barcelona reports.
In recent years, they have taken on the task of fully recovering it. This included, 300 transport amphorae, which, in addition to the remains of their original contents, also feature painted inscriptions. All of this is of enormous value to science. But while the focus has been mainly on the cargo, a decision still had to be made about what to do with the wreck itself. Now, its future fate was announced a few days ago.
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“One of the most important finds on the Mediterranean coast”
For two days in October, specialists from the national and international scientific community gathered on the beach in Palma to discuss the preservation of the archaeological find. The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, then explained that after many years of work, the final recovery of the wreck is planned for 2026.
He emphasized the importance of approaching this project with the utmost scientific rigor, highlighting its significance in the field of archaeology and history. The late Roman shipwreck is considered “one of the most important finds on the Mediterranean coast.” It was decided to carry out an extraction in fragments, following a meticulous protocol to best preserve the centuries-old relic. “The sea has given us a gift from the past, but what we do with it will determine our future,” Galmés explained. He added on, “We are at a crucial moment to transform this sunken heritage into a shared heritage.”
Sources: Consell de Mallorca, University of Barcelona
This article was originally published on futurezone.de / 4P.de and has been carefully translated.