Mallorca: divers lift 350kg Roman anchor from sea

Guardia Civil divers have raised a 350-kilogram Roman anchor piece from shallow water north of Mallorca after finding signs that someone had tried to remove it. The object, dating from the 1st or 2nd century AD, was moved on Thursday, 24 September. It had lain less than three metres below the surface near the coast.

The find is a cepo, a component of an anchor from a vessel of the Roman Empire. Officers had known its location for several years and checked it as part of work to protect underwater heritage.

During a recent inspection, they found that the anchor piece had been tampered with, apparently in an attempt to lift it from the seabed. The Guardia Civil alerted the Heritage Department of the Council of Mallorca, which decided it should be moved because of its shallow, near-shore position and the risk of looting.

At about 11am, two officers from the Special Group for Underwater Activities brought the object to the surface using lifting balloons. It was then taken to a new location selected by the Council of Mallorca’s heritage representative to keep it protected.

Topics: Police · Sea & coast · Culture

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com