Archaeologists working at a construction site in Ibiza recovered an exceptionally well-preserved wooden statue of Hercules from a waterlogged trash pit on the footprint of a Roman grain silo. Anoxic, groundwater-filled conditions — aided by a relatively warm local climate — prevented the wood from decaying, a rarity in Spain. The statue and associated finds (tools, plant remains, fruit pits and shoes) are now at the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF) for months-long conservation. Botanical remains promise fresh insights into Roman-era horticulture, trade and daily life on the island.
Exceptionally Rare Wooden Statue of Hercules Recovered from Waterlogged Trash Pit in Ibiza
Archaeologists working at a construction site in Ibiza recovered an exceptionally well-preserved wooden statue of Hercules from a waterlogged trash pit on the footprint of a Roman grain silo. Anoxic, groundwater-filled conditions — aided by a relatively warm local climate — prevented the wood from decaying, a rarity in Spain. The statue and associated finds (tools, plant remains, fruit pits and shoes) are now at the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF) for months-long conservation. Botanical remains promise fresh insights into Roman-era horticulture, trade and daily life on the island.
10:07, 07.11.2025Culture
Exceptionally Rare Wooden Statue of Hercules Recovered from Waterlogged Trash Pit in Ibiza
Archaeologists excavating a planned housing development in Ibiza have recovered an exceptionally rare wooden statue of Hercules, pulled from what appears to have been a waterlogged trash pit on the site of a former Roman grain silo. The discovery was reported by Heritage Daily and originally appeared in Men's Journal on Nov. 6, 2025.
Remarkable preservation: The statue survived for centuries because it lay submerged in groundwater that slowly filled the pit, creating an oxygen-free (anoxic) environment that effectively halted the wood's decay. Such preservation is typically associated with European peat bogs and is particularly unusual in Spain, where warmer conditions usually accelerate the breakdown of organic material.
Associated finds: Buried alongside the wooden figure were tools, plant remains, fruit pits and ancient shoes. Archaeologists say these organic materials — now in the care of the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF) — will shed important light on Roman-era horticulture, trade and everyday life on the island.
Conservation efforts: MAEF has taken custody of all recovered objects. The wooden statue is expected to require months of conservation; specialists are currently stabilizing the fragile structure in a tightly controlled laboratory environment to prevent further deterioration before long-term treatment.
"We also found fruit pits that will give us insight into Ibiza's horticulture during that period," said process archaeologist Juan José Mar Casanova. "It's less spectacular than the Hercules statue, but archaeologically it's very interesting."
Why this matters: The combination of a rare organic sculpture and well-preserved botanical remains offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct the island's ecology and commercial connections during Roman times. Ongoing conservation and scientific analysis could refine our understanding of material culture and daily life in Mediterranean port towns.
Sources: Heritage Daily; Men's Journal (original report, Nov. 6, 2025). Artifacts are held by the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF).