7th Century B.C.
From the boat named “Mazarrón 1” only the keel, some ribs and strakes have been found. The second Phoenician boat, “Mazarrón 2” is almost complete and is preserved in situ across from the Playa de la Isla. Its dimensions are 8.10 m in length and 2.25 m in width, and it still held its entire load, made up mostly of lead ingots. The anchor was also found, in the “shaft, stock and nail” type, and it is the oldest known example found In the Mediterranean to date.
The Phoenician vessels on Playa de la Isla, from the 7th century B.C., give valuable information about the Phoenician naval construction techniques, of cargo and maritime commerce.
The discovery of the first boat took place in 1988, and the archaeological excavations on both ships occurred between 1993 and 2000, performed by the National Center of Sub-aquatic Archaeological Research (CNIAS). The ship “Mazarrón 2” is not currently visible as it is underneath the sea and covered by a metallic structure that serves as protection.
