26 Roman amphorae surface from 1,400m off Formentera

Twenty-six Roman amphorae recovered from 1,400 metres below the sea south of Formentera are now held in 17 boxes at the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera. On 23 September 2026, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaume Bauzá inspected the fragile finds and the work to preserve them. Some vessels are almost intact, while others have survived only in fragments.

Museum staff are drawing salt from the amphorae in specialist water tanks, a treatment known as desalination. It must be completed before the vessels can be restored and studied.

Chance find on a fishing survey

The research vessel Miguel Oliver found the vessels by chance while carrying out the MEDITS fishing research campaign. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food coordinate the campaign.

After the find in state waters, the Directorate General for Culture worked with the Ministry of Culture’s Underwater Heritage Service to secure an emergency transfer to the museum. The ship’s crew continuously kept the cargo wet with hoses, helping to stabilise it before it arrived.

Oil jars may trace Roman trade

The vessels are Dressel 20 amphorae, a type used to transport oil. Their marks and seals could shed light on trade routes and the movement of oil across the western Mediterranean.

Once treatment and restoration are complete, the amphorae will formally remain at the museum for research before going on public display.

Topics: Agriculture · Culture · Tourism · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com