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Work to remove the wreck of the Phoenician boat ‘Mazarrón II’ from the seabed of the La Isla beach, restore it and put it in a museum is moving ahead at pace.

 

The mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo Méndez, has requested that the acting Minister of Culture, Miquel Octavi Iceta i Llorens, and the Minister of Culture of the Region of Murcia, Carmen María Conesa Nieto, create a monitoring commission to supervise the process of extraction, restoration, exhibition and enhancement of the ‘Mazarrón II’, a project which is necessary to protect the 1,400-year-old boat from wear and tear under the water.

 

His request arises in the wake of the preliminary conclusions of the study led by archaeologist Carlos de Juan, from the University of Valencia, commissioned by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Community of the Region, were published in the regional press of Murcia.

 

According to De Juan’s study, “the degree of fragmentation of the hull of the vessel, with a length of 8.10 metres and a beam of 2.25 metres, offers the opportunity to carry out controlled separations for subsequent extraction,” which is planned for next year.

 

In recommending the creation of a monitoring group for this work, the mayor wants to guarantee that this process is carried out in an adequate and transparent manner. In his letter, he requests a meeting with the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Spain and the Ministry of Culture of the Region of Murcia with the purpose of creating a monitoring commission that includes technical and political profiles.

 

This commission would be the main point of contact to receive updated information on the development of the extraction, restoration, exhibition and enhancement process of the ‘Mazarrón II’ wreck. The Mayor has also highlighted that this would provide Mazarrón with the opportunity to “defend its rights as the legitimate owner of this important archaeological jewel” instead of seeing it taken to the Marine Archaeology museum in Cartagena.

 

Finally, Ginés Campillo emphasised the need for collaboration and coordination between all parties involved to guarantee the adequate protection and study of this significant historical find.

 

“Mazarrón looks forward to a favourable response to this request, with the aim of promoting responsible and transparent management of this valuable cultural heritage,” he concluded.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Mazarrón