A treasure from maritime history

The Mazarrón II stands out as an exceptional discover by conserving intact its original woodwork, which opens a unique window to the naval Phoenician construction techniques. While the Greek archaic embarkations have been widely documented, the Phoenician ships have prevailed on mystery. This price, in good state of conservation, provides essential data about a ‘maritime koine’, a cultural and technological space that connected the Mediterranean Levante with Egypt, Cyprus and Anatolia.

Preliminary discovers

The initial analysis of the wood reveal a combination of typical Phoenician techniques and local adaptations, probably done by communities influenced by this civilization. However, some construction methods still defy the current interpretations, which underlines the necessity of more research.

Project Phases

The project is developed around two principal periods: the extraction of the wreckage, began on September, and the following restoration of the materials. Now, the rests will be conserved in the laboratory ARQUAtec, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and with the collaboration of the Universitat de València. This specialized centre will continue the restoration work and study, assuring the preservation and the analysis of this invaluable historic legacy.

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