Wreck found during construction

In 2006, during dredging operations prior to the construction of a jetty in Ciutadella on the island of Menorca, an archaeological survey discovered archaeological remains on the seabed. Archaeologists carried out an underwater survey that recovered almost 2,000 artefacts. They turned out to be from Roman, Medieval and modern vessels. The site with the Roman-era finds was called Cala en Busquets 1. The discovery of the remains caused the building site of the jetty to be moved so as not to affect the wrecks.

Artefacts

Among the 25 intact pieces that have been recovered and restored, a set of 20 amphoras in the style of the Baetica region (1st century CE, south of Spain), with the hypothesis that these were containers used for the commercial transport of oil and wine carried by one of the Roman-era vessels that sunk in the port of Ciutadella.

Another of the objects that has been restored is a Roman lamp with the depiction of a male character that looks like a gladiator with a shield in his right hand.

Several examples of so-called 'sigillata' pottery stand out, such as a plate decorated with the initials 'S.M.F.'. In addition, vases, clay pots, amphora stoppers and a glass bottle, among other things, have been recovered.

Menorca.info

One of the amphora found.

From the finds it is clear that a Roman-era ship was wrecked on this site, but no finds have been made that can tell us anything about the type of vessel.

From 2023 onwards, research is again being done in the area within the framework of archaeological field schools in the Menorca Shipwreck Project.

• Menorca.info.
  Remains of three ships and pottery in Cala en Busquets.
• Menorca Shipwreck Project.
  Menorca Shipwreck Project.