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‘Unique’ Roman shipwreck sank full of food, study says

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A well-preserved Roman shipwreck was recently discovered off the coast of Mallorca, Spain, according to a new study. When it sank, it was carrying fish sauce, olive oil and wine.

Photo by Christian Waske, UnSplash



In 2019, a well-preserved Roman shipwreck was discovered in the shallow waters off the coast of Mallorca, a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Now, after an in-depth analysis, researchers have revealed the ill-fated ship’s cargo, which included fish sauce and fruit preserves, according to a March 21 study published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.

The findings shed light on commercial trade in Roman times, when a range of materials were transported across the Mediterranean by boat.

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Plan of the shipwreck with the positioning of the cargo amphorae documented during the excavation process Figure from the archaeological and anthropological sciences

The 40-foot-long wreck, which lies under just 6 feet of water, probably sank sometime around the fourth century AD, making it about 1,700 years old. The ship is believed to have sailed from a port in southwestern Spain before sinking under unknown circumstances.

The wooden hull is studded with amphorae, a type of slender jar commonly used for transporting goods.

Inside the hull were three main types of amphorae, the most common of which are known as Almagro 51c. Some of these vessels had painted inscriptions stating that they contained liquid fish sauce.

One of the intact amphorae recovered from the wreck Photo from Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

Painted inscriptions demarcating the contents of the vessels were found on some amphorae. Photo from Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

Residue analyzes confirmed these inscriptions and revealed traces of anchovies and sardines, researchers said.

“The shipwreck is a unique example, as it is one of the few cases around the Mediterranean where, thanks to an exceptional state of preservation, it is possible to relate the information of the painted inscriptions to the paleocontents,” researchers said.

The second type of vessel identified, which is new to researchers, was called Ses Fontanelles I and contained remains of vegetable oil.

The third type of vessel, flat-bottomed amphorae, showed traces of olives and residues of wine “or other grape derivatives,” researchers said.

Fish remains were found in at least one of the ships, investigators said. Photo from Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

In addition, plant remains – of various herbs and vines – were found among the amphorae, suggesting that they were used to protect the cargo.

“Amphorae, sensitive to friction and mechanical breakage, required good packaging at least sometimes,” researchers said.

A single pine cone was also found in the fuselage – which is not a rare phenomenon. It could have been used in packaging or perhaps as a seal for the amphorae.

“The results help to shed some light on several aspects of this unique ship that sank in the waters of Mallorca and contribute to demonstrating the benefits of applying archaeological sciences to maritime archaeology,” researchers said.

Food remains have also been found aboard other ancient shipwrecks in recent years, including an array of spices discovered aboard a 15th-century wreck near Sweden, according to previous reporting from McClatchy News.

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