Roman jars found in a Spanish seafood store

Authorities conducting a routine inspection of a frozen seafood store in Spain were surprised to find ancient artifacts decorating the facility.

The owner’s son found the objects while fishing, according to local media.

Thirteen jars (amphoras) are believed to date from the 1st century AD. C., while an eighteenth-century anchor and a limestone plate were also found.

Both the owner of the business in Alicante and his son are being investigated.

• Baiae: a Roman settlement at the bottom of the sea

“The amphorae could come from the looting of shipwrecks,” which would be protected as objects of underwater archeology, a Civil Guard statement said on Wednesday.

The artifacts were transferred to the Museo del Mar in Santa Pola, where they were subjected to preliminary dating.

Amphoras would have been used to transport oil, wine, or fish sauce, and a jar is believed to be particularly rare and valuable.

The limestone plate was inscribed with the word “este”, which means “this” in Spanish.

The two men could face charges of “crimes against historical heritage”, as well as the acquisition or possession of objects of doubtful or illegal origin.

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