A rare 2,000-year-old wooden statue of Hercules has been unearthed on the island of Ibiza, Spain, in what archaeologists are calling one of the most remarkable organic discoveries ever recorded in the region. The sculpture, carved during the Roman period, survived in near-perfect condition thanks to an unusual set of natural circumstances that prevented it from decaying.
The find was made during excavation work linked to a new housing development near Isidor Macabich Avenue. Archaeologists traced the statue to a Roman grain silo that had been repurposed as a refuse pit.
Over the centuries, groundwater flooded the pit, creating an oxygen-free, or anaerobic, environment. Without oxygen, the microorganisms that normally destroy wood could not survive, allowing the statue to remain intact for nearly two millennia.
Experts say such preservation is almost unheard of in Ibiza’s hot and humid climate. Comparable survival of wooden artifacts is more commonly associated with the cold, waterlogged bogs of northern Europe.
Roman adaptation of a Greek hero
The sculpture depicts Hercules, the Roman version of the Greek demigod and hero Heracles. The Romans borrowed the hero’s legends from Greek tradition, but they reshaped his image to reflect Roman values—strength, perseverance, and triumph over chaos. Hercules became a popular subject in Roman homes, shrines, bath complexes, and public art; yet, wooden representations of him are extremely rare, as they seldom survive burial.
Researchers have not yet confirmed when the statue was carved or how it was used. It may have stood in a household shrine, decorated a building, or formed part of cargo linked to Ibiza’s once-busy port. Further analysis will examine the type of wood, tool marks, and any traces of pigments that may still cling to the surface.
Excavation reveals daily life
The Hercules statue was discovered alongside a collection of everyday artifacts, including ancient footwear, tools, plant remains, and fruit pits. All the finds have been transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF), where conservators are stabilizing the delicate materials.
Archaeologist Juan José Marí Casanova said the conservation of the wooden statue will take months. The wood must be kept in controlled humidity and temperature to stop it from cracking or collapsing as it dries.
Casanova noted that the fruit pits may look insignificant compared to the statue, but they offer key information. They will help understand what people grew and ate on Ibiza during that time. “These materials will allow researchers to reconstruct the ecology and agricultural practices of the island in Antiquity and the Middle Ages.”
Ibiza’s place in the Roman world
Ibiza, known in antiquity as Ebusus, entered the Roman sphere after the fall of Carthage in 146 BC. It later developed into a thriving Mediterranean port that exported wine, salt, and fish sauce. The main harbor stood where Ibiza Town (Eivissa) is located today.
Archaeologists say the newly discovered statue strengthens evidence of the island’s economic and cultural ties during the Roman era. More discoveries are expected as excavations continue in advance of modern construction.
The Hercules figure now enters a long conservation phase, but researchers believe it will eventually offer new insight into both Roman art and the ancient world that once thrived on Ibiza.
