The Mazarrón 1 Shipwreck: an iron-age boat with unique features from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Two iron-age shipwrecks, associated with Phoenician ceramics, were discovered at the Playa de la Isla in Mazarrón, Spain. This preliminary report describes hitherto unknown boatbuilding features of the Mazarrón 1 hull remains. The vessel presents hybrid boatbuilding techniques using both pegged mortise-and-tenon plank-edge fasteners and sewn seams employing longitudinal continuous stitching, and a unique keel scarf. It is an important source of information for the development of shipbuilding in the western Mediterranean during the Iron Age.

Ancient Mediterranean Sewn-Boat Traditions

“…However, the hypothesis of repairs also seems possible (De Juan : 96), considering the distribution of the sewing that concerns only a limited number of strakes. Note that a loose plank fragment, apparently assigned to the Mazarrón 2 wreck, has the same stitch marks, but in this case, according to the general assembly system of the planking by mortise‐and‐tenon joints of this boat, it is obviously a repair (Cabrera Tejedor, : 306, 312). On Mazarrón 2, a mast‐step timber was set over the frames but in contact with the keel between the frames.…”

“…The earliest examples in this group are the Mazarrón 1 and 2 wrecks found respectively in 1980 and 1988 in Mazarrón, near Cartagena (Murcia, Spain) and excavated in 1993–1995 and 1999–2001 (Negueruela et al ., ; Negueruela, ; ; Negueruela and Ortiz, ; Martinez Alcade et al ., ). The wrecks, found in the same archaeological context, were first dated to the second half of the 7th century BC, but are now dated to the end of the 7th or the beginning of the 6th century BC (625–570 BC) according to a reused Trayamar 1 amphora found on Mazarrón 2 (De Juan, : 30, , : 96; De Juan Fuertes, : 240–242; Cabrera Tejedor, : 319). The remains of Mazarrón 1 include the keel and a part of the planking with some frames (Fig.…”

“…; Cabrera Tejedor, : 218–219 and fig. , : 312–316; De Juan : 96), which consider that the function of the sewing is to strengthen the plank seams and to secure a waterproofing material. However, the hypothesis of repairs also seems possible (De Juan : 96), considering the distribution of the sewing that concerns only a limited number of strakes.…”

Esparto crafting under empire: Local technology and imperial industry in Roman Iberia

“…Sewn hulls with continuous stitching are known in other ancient Mediterranean contexts (e.g. the British Isles and the Adriatic) (Cabrera Tejedor, 2018: 314; Staples and Blue, 2019: 272–274). Nevertheless, Cabrera Tejedor (2018: 321) has argued that aspects of the Mazarrón I’s shipbuilding technology are uniquely Iberian and took advantage of locally grown esparto and indigenous rope-making technical knowledge (see also Negueruela Martínez, 2014).…”

“…the British Isles and the Adriatic) (Cabrera Tejedor, 2018: 314; Staples and Blue, 2019: 272–274). Nevertheless, Cabrera Tejedor (2018: 321) has argued that aspects of the Mazarrón I’s shipbuilding technology are uniquely Iberian and took advantage of locally grown esparto and indigenous rope-making technical knowledge (see also Negueruela Martínez, 2014). Sewn repairs on the Mazarrón II wreck show esparto use in ship maintenance (Cabrera Tejedor, 2018: 320).…”