Ses Fontanelles reveals the largest collection of amphorae with Roman labels documented in the Mediterranean
The Roman ship discovered in 2019 on Playa de Palma contained 320 amphorae, 84 of which had painted inscriptions that allow us to reconstruct maritime trade and the distribution of products in the Mediterranean during the 4th century.
PalmThe Roman shipwreck discovered in 2019 in the Ses Fontanelles area of Playa de Palma has revealed one of the most exceptional archaeological finds in the Mediterranean in recent years. Investigations confirmed that the 4th-century ship was carrying the largest known cargo of amphorae with painted inscriptions, the so-called titule pictiThe ship was discovered accidentally by a swimmer in the area, just 65 meters from the shore and two meters deep—a surprisingly close location to one of Mallorca's most popular tourist destinations. However, the site has survived to the present day in an exceptional state of preservation, like a true time capsule. According to archaeological studies, the ship's hold, approximately 12 meters long by 5 meters wide, contained 320 amphorae arranged on two levels, occupying almost the entire cargo space. The ship had likely sailed from Carthago Spartaria, present-day Cartagena, and was carrying typical products of the autumn Mediterranean trade: fish sauces, oil, and wine produced in southeastern Spain.
One of the most remarkable findings is the presence of inscriptions on 84 amphorae, approximately 26% of the total, an extraordinary percentage for an underwater site. These labels, painted with black ink, indicate the contents of the containers, their weight, and, in some cases, the names of the merchants responsible for the goods.
The inscriptions mention products highly valued at the time, such as licuaminos flosa select variety of garum, as well as different types of oil, including theoleum viridecomparable to modern extra virgin olive oil.
The names of two merchants, Alumnio and Ausonio, appear on part of the cargo and point to a complex trade network that likely involved freedmen linked to influential Roman families, possibly related to the Flavian family.
The investigation now continues with the extraction of the ship's structural remains, a step that will allow for a deeper understanding of naval architecture and maritime trade in the Late Roman Mediterranean.