The discovery of a Phoenician wreck beneath the sea off La Manga del Mar menor in Murcia, is being hailed by archaeologists as one of the most important discoveries in the Mediterranean.<archaeologists from 11 different countries are taking part in the rescue of treasures from the boat.They have estimated that the wreck is at least 2,600 years old and was transporting tusks of a now extinct species of African elephant.It also had amber,pottery and other luxury items on board.
The boat is about 15 metres long ,twice the size of the one discovered off Mazarron.They are hoping to lift it out of the sea by the summer.The finds,1400 so far, are being kept in the Spanish Museum for Underwater Archaeology in Cartagena. The location of the wreck is being protected by the Guardia Civil.Up to now the site has been kept a secret so that treasure hunters and others are kept away from the location.
The dives are being directed by a Spanish and an American archaeologist and they are being supported by the National Geographic magazine,The Institute of Nautical Archaeology of the University of Texas ,the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the regional department for culture.
