Archaeologists have found 26 barrels in the wreck of a sailing ship lying in about six metres of water off Cabopino, Marbella. Some appear to retain part of their contents, which may help researchers test whether the vessel was carrying Roman cement when it sank in 1887.
The discovery came during a 15-day investigation by the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). The barrels have been counted and samples taken, but their substance has not yet been identified. Historical records describe a cargo of Roman cement; that remains a possibility, not a confirmed result.
The wreck has been tentatively linked to the Garigliano, an Italian sailing ship recorded as leaving Marseille for Buenos Aires before sinking off Marbella in a storm. The IAPH has not confirmed the identification. Archaeologists say the barrels and the ship’s other cargo are consistent with the historical account, but further investigation is required.
Researchers have also identified four groups of tiles. Three bear marks associated with manufacturers in the Marseille and Aubagne area—Pierre Lançon, Roux B. Martin and A. Remuzat—while another group is attributed to Pierre Sacoman of Saint-Henri, Marseille. These findings add to the evidence about the vessel’s route and cargo, without establishing its name conclusively.
The arrangement and position of the wreck are also under study. It appears to have grounded with its bow facing the shore and a pronounced lean to port. The team has suggested that the weight of the cargo may have destabilised the hull and caused its sides to fall outward, though this interpretation still needs confirmation.
So far, about 34 metres of the structure have been exposed. Ships of this type could be roughly 45 metres long, meaning part of the wreck may remain buried. Archaeologists have also documented the site with 360-degree filming and created a 3D model from video and photographs, allowing researchers to examine it without relying solely on further dives.
Laboratory work on the barrel contents, wood and copper hull sheathing is still pending. The IAPH’s underwater archaeology centre plans to return to the site in 2027. The next stage should help establish what the barrels held, provide more information about the ship’s construction and test whether the wreck is indeed the Garigliano.