Phoenician ship to be extracted from Mazarron seabed

The wreck will be extracted from the bottom of the sea in 22 sections starting in September

After years of studies and scientific discussions, archaeologists estimate that it will take two months to complete the operation, with a plan to refloat a section of the Phoenician boat, which dates from the 7th-6th centuries BC, every 48 hours. The ship, which rests on the seabed just off La Isla inside a protective sarcophagus, will be extracted from the sea in sections at the beginning of September.

Carlos de Juan, the expert from the University of Valencia who is in charge of the mission, explained that the 'Mazarrón II', as this ancient vessel is known, will be divided into twenty-two sections taking advantage of "the thousands of fissures, visible and invisible", cracks and complete separations that the hull of the ship is currently in after 2,500 years on the sea bed.

More than 2,000 photographs were taken during a campaign last summer, making it possible to draft a 'map' that includes the main fractures. That information has now been used to calculate the number of sections. It is not ruled out that a "surgical division" will also have to be used on some parts of the boat following its architectural joints.

De Juan described the state of the wreck as follows: "It is totally fragmented, it is a set of many boards supported by the sandy foundation".

The work to refloat the wreck is expected will be completed in two months. Archaeologists estimate 44 working days, speculating that it will take 48 hours to extract each of the sections. There may also be times when they will not be able to work underwater due to sea currents and weather conditions.

Fragile wooden structure

Having extensive experience as an underwater archaeologist, De Juan spelled out the chosen extraction method. In his appearance at the Archaeological Museum of Murcia (MAM), the expert pointed out that the operation will be nothing like the image of a ship "emerging from the sea as if in a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie". He delineated the differences with respect to other wreck rescues of eighteenth-century ships, which were made of oak and recovered in one piece.

In the case of the 'Mazarrón II', the main problem lies in its age and the raw material used. "It is mainly pine and fig trees; That wood has been underwater for more than 2,500 years, it is soaked, without internal structure, because it has lost all its wood cellulose. Extraction in a horizontal position would cause the vessel to break up when being raised from the seabed. It would not stand the pressure," he said.

Because the rescue will be in sections it will also facilitate subsequent treatment in the laboratories of the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (Arqua), in Cartagena. Where the cryodesiccation (freeze-drying) chambers are not large enough for the entire Phoenician ship to fit. The ship measures 8.15 meters in length and 2.25 meters in width. Archaeologists hope to work with pieces measuring 1.5 by 1.5 metres.

In order to prevent the pieces of wood from decomposing due to their fragility on their way to the sea's surface, the technicians have designed special structures, in resin and with 3D molds, which will be fixed in place under water before extraction. These 'wedges' will adapt to each of the pieces to prevent the wood from losing its shape. The custom resin structures will help remove each of the sections to prevent the wood from disintegrating in contact with air.

The original rescue date was scheduled for June. The delay has been due to the manufacture of these structures, since a more resistant resin has had to be sought. The presence of holidaymakers on the beach of La Isla in the middle of the summer season has also been taken into account. However, the work prior to the extraction has already begun. A specialized company is already making the 'cradles' (it is planned to manufacture 40), and in August the assembly of a field laboratory at the site of the excavation will begin.

The wreck, discovered in 1994, is preserved in a metal sarcophagus just over two metres deep. The designed operation plans to open the protection box and excavate the area to be worked in sectors (from stern to bow), and then label each of the portions of wood. These will be anchored to the supports and transferred to a field laboratory at the site of the excavation. After cleaning, registration for inventory and documentation by laser scanner, the wood will be packed again with plastic film, to avoid moisture loss, and transferred by road to Arquatec, the museum facilities where the 'Mazarrón II' will be treated in order to guarantee its future conservation.

This process will last for at least four years, after which the permenant home for this unique example of underwater archaeology is still undecided, whether in the Arqua de Cartagena or in a new exhibition centre in Mazarrón.

According to underwater archaeologist De Juan, the specimen’s international importance lies in the fact that it is one of the most complete ancient ships discovered in the world to date, as it is preserved almost entirely from bow to stern.

The internal structure of fig tree frames lashed together with vegetable fibres as well preserved, as are the pine boards that form the hull joined by a system of tenons with vegetable fibre used to seal the joints.

Final destination

Although the regional government and local council have worked together to preserve and plan the ships extraction, there is a difference of opinion as to where the relic should be exhibited to best guarantee its conservation.

Isaac Sastre, Director General of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts Ministry also spoke at the event via videoconference from Madrid, to "highlight the result of a permanent collaboration between the two administrations. This project is a good example of know-how in underwater heritage". He assured that the Arqua laboratories "have been updated" and are prepared to undertake the treatment of the wreck. Where it will be cleaned and desalinated. A special resin will then be applied and then the wood will be dried using the freeze-drying process. But Sastre did not clarify where the wreck will be exhibited to the public. "It's the end point that we're not there yet," Sastre said. The Arqua is one of the options while Mazarrón Council claims the ship must occupy a newly built museum in the municipality.

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