Spain has achieved a significant archaeological milestone by successfully raising Ses Fontanelles, the first fully intact Roman ship ever recovered from its seabed. This merchant vessel, dating back to the fourth century A.D., sank around 1,700 years ago in the Bay of Palma, Mallorca. After an intricate and painstaking process lasting four months, the ship was carefully brought to the surface, offering an extraordinary glimpse into maritime history during Late Antiquity.
The recovery of Ses Fontanelles marks the first instance of an entire Roman vessel being retrieved intact in Spain. Experts emphasize that this remarkable find provides a unique window into ancient Mediterranean الملاحة, trade networks, and shipbuilding practices, enabling scholars to explore these subjects with unprecedented depth and precision.
A milestone in underwater archaeology
The operation was spearheaded by the Arqueomallornauta team, who collaborated closely with specialists from various الإسبانية universities as well as divers from the الإسبانية Navy. Throughout the months-long excavation, archaeologists meticulously dismantled the ship, employing custom-designed fiberglass supports molded directly underwater to protect the fragile hull during its ascent. This innovative technique was crucial in maintaining the vessel’s structural integrity.
In addition to the ship’s wooden hull fragments, the team recovered over 600 artifacts, including cargo remnants that shed light on the ship’s trading activities. Collectively, these findings promise to enable researchers to reconstruct nearly the entire story of Ses Fontanelles, from its construction and voyages to its eventual sinking.