A 1,700-Year-Old Roman Ship Lies Two Meters Beneath a Popular Majorca Beach
Two meters beneath the turquoise waters of Playa de Palma lies a Roman trading vessel dating to about 1,700 years ago. The ship Ses Fontanelles, near Mallorca's most popular beach, offers a rare glimpse into late Roman trade, shipbuilding, and daily life in the western Mediterranean. It was first spotted by local resident Felix Alarcon, who alerted the Heritage Protection Authority. Experts soon confirmed that the 12-meter-long vessel, carrying hundreds of amphorae, dated to roughly the middle of the 4th century CE.
In This Article:
- Discovery and Dating
- Origin and Cargo
- Preserved in Sand: A Vessel in Excellent Condition
- Artefacts and Inscriptions
- Clay from Southeast Spain and Five New Amphora Types
- Ses Fontanelles as a Time Capsule of Late Antiquity
- A Rich Roman Heritage and a Harbor That Sheltered Ships
- From Seabed to Public Heritage: Restoration Plan
Discovery and Dating
Felix Alarcon, a local resident, was the first to spot the ship and report it to the Heritage Protection Authority. Soon after, experts confirmed that the 12-meter-long vessel, with hundreds of amphorae, dated to roughly the middle of the 4th century CE.
Origin and Cargo
Archaeologists believe the ship departed from Cartagena, a major Roman port in southern Spain, carrying olive oil, wine, and garum—the fermented fish sauce. A coin minted in Siscia (modern-day Sisak, Croatia) dated to around 320 CE was found beneath the mast, helping to fix the dating of the find.
Preserved in Sand: A Vessel in Excellent Condition
According to Professor Enrique Garcia of the University of the Balearic Islands, the vessel is in excellent condition. It was quickly covered by sand after sinking, which cut it off from oxygen and halted decomposition. Dozens of amphorae remain sealed, and the hull and deck have retained their structure.
Artefacts and Inscriptions
Among the finds were two leather shoes, a carpenter's drill, possibly used for on-board repairs, and an oil lamp bearing the image of the goddess Diana—a symbol of hunting and the moon. Early Christian monograms appeared on some amphorae, signaling a transitional period when pagan and Christian beliefs coexisted in the late Roman world. The cargo proved a treasure trove of epigraphic finds, with the amphorae bearing inscriptions that tell about producers, contents, and tax levies. Researchers from the University of Cadiz, led by Professor Dario Bernal, described this collection as one of the largest ever discovered in Spain. 'These inscriptions speak of complex administrative and commercial networks that helped sustain Roman trade.'
Clay from Southeast Spain and Five New Amphora Types
Laboratory analysis confirmed that the clay for the amphorae came from southeastern Spain, proving that in late antiquity Murcia was an important center for the production of olive oil and garum. The researchers also discovered five previously unknown types of amphora.
Ses Fontanelles as a Time Capsule of Late Antiquity
Shipwrecks from the late Roman Empire are rare. Ses Fontanelles became a unique time capsule, allowing study of shipbuilding technologies, trading logistics and the daily life of sailors who plied the waters between Iberia, North Africa and the Balearic Islands.
A Rich Roman Heritage and a Harbor That Sheltered Ships
The discovery also sheds light on Majorca’s Roman past. In 123 BCE, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus conquered the island, turning it into a strategic base in the western Mediterranean. In the 4th century, the Playa de Palma area was a harbor serving as shelter for ships during storms. It’s possible that this stranded cargo vessel sought such shelter before sinking.
From Seabed to Public Heritage: Restoration Plan
The wooden parts of the ship remain on site, covered by sand. The amphorae and other artifacts have been sent for conservation. Dr. Carlos de Juan of the University of Valencia said that plans for phased restoration of the hull are in development, because the keel was damaged by storms. After extraction, each wooden fragment will be cleaned of salt and rust in freshwater tanks at Castillo San Carlos on Palma de Mallorca. They will then be impregnated and stabilized. The restoration and conservation are expected to take at least five years. Upon completion, the ship will become part of Majorca's maritime heritage and will be open to public viewing.
