# name
Multianalytical approach to the exceptional Late Roman shipwreck of Ses Fontanelles (Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain)

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
The paper presents the results of an interim analytical approach to the Late Roman shipwreck of Ses Fontanelles recently
found in the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). The excellent state of preservation of the hull and the cargo, includ‑
ing amphorae with painted inscriptions (tituli picti), and its location in shallow waters ofshore of one of the main touristic
beaches of the island makes this a unique fnding in the Mediterranean. A frst season of excavations and study of the cargo
triggered an analytical approach to solve some of the problems pose by archaeological research, mainly related to the possible
origin of the vessel. The analytical strategy combines petrographic analysis for the study of the provenance of the amphorae,
archaeozoology and residue analysis to identify their content, and analysis of the wood and plant remains to understand the
use of vegetal resources in shipbuilding and in the stow of the cargo. The results of the combination of the petrographic
analysis, the study of the ichthyofauna and the organic residue analysis suggest that the boat probably departed from the
area of Cartagena in the southeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, carrying a cargo of fsh sauce (liquaminis fos), oil, and
wine (probably also some olives preserved in grape derivatives), transported in three main types of amphorae. The analysis
of the wood shows, as known in Roman shipbuilding, a clear selection of forest resources. The shipbuilders used pine for
longitudinal parts of the hull, while for the small pieces related to the assemblage system (pegged, mortise and tenons) and
subjected to a great stress they selected harder woods mainly Cupressaceae, Olea europaea, and Laurus nobilis. In addition,
the study reveals that mainly branches of Vitis vinifera, but also other herbaceous plants were used as dunnage protecting the
cargo during the journey. The results help to shed some light into diferent aspects of this unique vessel sunk in Mallorcan
waters and contributes to show the beneft of applying archaeological sciences in maritime archaeology

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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2024, vol. 16, num.4

# metadata.dc.rights[].value
cc by (c) Cau Ontiveros, Miguel Ángel et al, 2024

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Articles publicats en revistes (Història i Arqueologia)

# metadata.dc.title[].value
Multianalytical approach to the exceptional Late Roman shipwreck of Ses Fontanelles (Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain)