The extraction of the Mazarrón 2 begins: a subaquatic archaeology pioneer project led by the UV

At the beginning of September began the extraction of the Mazarrón 2, an ancient Phoenician ship that sank approximately 2,600 years ago in the coast of Murcia. This project marks a milestone in the Spanish archaeology, being the second ship from the archaic period recovered with scientific and museum purposes. The last project of this type had place on 1995, which underlines the singularity and importance of this research. The Universitat de València leads the management and development of this exceptional project.

The team, led by Agustín Díez , main researcher of the project, and Carlos de Juan , director of the excavation, is compésed by around 12 people. From which are included three students from the University master’s degree in Archaeology from the UV , restorers, six professional divers specialized in subaquatic archaeology and an expert in documentation and communication from the University of Alacant. Part of this team will participate as well in the famous subaquatic project from the UV ’El Sec’ in Mallorca.

In the team site there is now a barrier of buoys to delimitate the work area and avoid the access of curious people, since the excerpts are extremely fragile. During the first weeks of September, in the middle of the touristic season, security measures were intensified. The platform used, lent by the Ministry of Culture , is equipped with air compressors, motor pumps to inhale sediments and lead in the water so divers can work properly in the depths of the water.

Advances and surprising discoveries

Agustín Díez is detachable for the innovation techniques of the projects, that includes the creation of 3d models of 22 main pieces of the wreckage and resin moulds of polyethylene to assure a safe extraction. Many leading technological companies from the the Valencian Community have collaborated with the development.

Even though there weren’t many complications, the team has been caught by surprise by many events. Though the area was thought to be exhaustively excavated, they have discovered new materials during the extraction, like fragments of ropes and ceramic. The preservation of these delicate materials represents a unique opportunity in the archaeology field.

Next phases of the project

According to Carlos de Juan, they expect to complete the extraction by 6 November, though the sea conditions could affect the deadline. Once the phase is over, the materials extracted will be conserved in the laboratory ARQUAtec from the Ministry of Culture, where the UV will keep giving their technical support and advice.

The conservation process of the ship will be slow and meticulous, at least five years before the ship can be exhibited, due to the necessary gradual impregnation of the wood to assure its correct preservation.

Both researchers stand out that the collaboration between the Murcia region, the Universitat de València and the Ministry of Culture is been wonderful and essential for the execution of a project of such size and complexity.

9 October, the Vice-Principal for Culture in the UV, Ester Alba , visited the camp to meet from first hand the progress of the extraction activities and go around the informative exhibition installed on the surface.

You may read: The UV leads the extraction of a Phoenician boat in Mazarrón, Murcia