Post by pigeonpie on Oct 14, 2008 14:22:36 GMT
The remains of a Roman wreck from 1V century B.C. lie at a depth of 7 metres in the sand in the Binisafua cove. The excavation of the remains have recently begun for the second time, funded by 9000 Euros from the Consell Insular. This time archaeologists are examining how far the cargo (which consisted of flagons of Iberian wine) has spread in the 2.300 years since the boat sunk. There is a great lack of information about naval architecture from this period, but the type of flagons confirm that the boat traded in the Mediterranean.
Archaeologists still insist on the original date published in 1977 although recent publications have suggested 111B.C. which they believe is inaccurate.
The cargo came from Alicante. The wreck was first excavated in 1975 and 180 flagons were found, but on 3rd September, 2007 complete ones were found, one containing grape pips.
Many underwater finds in Menorca have been plundered over the years, a practice that apparently stopped when it was realised that finds were difficult to clean and often cracked once they were out of the water. Some pieces in the Museum in Mahon have to be periodically treated to prevent their destruction.
In Mahon, excavations on the easterly talayot at Cornia, constructed between 1600/1500B.C. have yielded objects from 111B.C. showing that the talayot was inhabited then, and inner chambers and corridors had been constructed. It was abandoned about this time, for unknown reasons, other settlements on the eastern side of the island being left at the same time. finds include a bronze bracelet and an incomplete bone bodkin that was probably used to stitch animal skins, and iron fragments, the remains of tools.
Half a dozen 'Molons' (Querns, primative flour mills) 40cms long were found inside. Roman and Arabic ceramics were also found, so it is believed these races visited the site occasionally.
Archaeologists still insist on the original date published in 1977 although recent publications have suggested 111B.C. which they believe is inaccurate.
The cargo came from Alicante. The wreck was first excavated in 1975 and 180 flagons were found, but on 3rd September, 2007 complete ones were found, one containing grape pips.
Many underwater finds in Menorca have been plundered over the years, a practice that apparently stopped when it was realised that finds were difficult to clean and often cracked once they were out of the water. Some pieces in the Museum in Mahon have to be periodically treated to prevent their destruction.
In Mahon, excavations on the easterly talayot at Cornia, constructed between 1600/1500B.C. have yielded objects from 111B.C. showing that the talayot was inhabited then, and inner chambers and corridors had been constructed. It was abandoned about this time, for unknown reasons, other settlements on the eastern side of the island being left at the same time. finds include a bronze bracelet and an incomplete bone bodkin that was probably used to stitch animal skins, and iron fragments, the remains of tools.
Half a dozen 'Molons' (Querns, primative flour mills) 40cms long were found inside. Roman and Arabic ceramics were also found, so it is believed these races visited the site occasionally.
