Spanish Archaeologists Discover Trove of Ancient Shipwrecks in Bay of Gibraltar
Spanish archaeologists from the University of Cádiz, leading the three-year Project Herakles, have documented a significant collection of shipwrecks in the Bay of Gibraltar. The team identified 151 archaeological sites, including 134 shipwrecks, with 34 fully documented to date. These vessels span a vast historical timeline, ranging from a Punic era ship dating back to the fifth century BC to aircraft from the Second World War. The discoveries include Phoenician, Roman, medieval, and early modern ships from various nations such as Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, and Venice. Notable finds include the Puente Mayorga IV, an 18th-century Spanish gunboat used for stealth attacks, and artifacts reflecting centuries of trade, war, and exploration. The bay, located at the strategic Pillars of Hercules, served as a critical maritime bottleneck connecting the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Professor Felipe Cerezo Andreo highlighted the unique concentration and diversity of these remains, offering valuable insights into seafaring history, particularly during the late period of Islamic rule in southern Spain. This underwater archive provides a comprehensive look at the cultural and military interactions that shaped the region over millennia.
Wire timeline
Spanish Archaeologists Discover Trove of Ancient Shipwrecks in Bay of Gibraltar
Spanish archaeologists from the University of Cádiz, leading the three-year Project Herakles, have documented a significant collection of shipwrecks in the Bay of Gibraltar. The team identified 151 archaeological sites, including 134 shipwrecks, with 34 fully documented to date. These vessels span a vast historical timeline, ranging from a Punic era ship dating back to the fifth century BC to aircraft from the Second World War. The discoveries include Phoenician, Roman, medieval, and early modern ships from various nations such as Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, and Venice. Notable finds include the Puente Mayorga IV, an 18th-century Spanish gunboat used for stealth attacks, and artifacts reflecting centuries of trade, war, and exploration. The bay, located at the strategic Pillars of Hercules, served as a critical maritime bottleneck connecting the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Professor Felipe Cerezo Andreo highlighted the unique concentration and diversity of these remains, offering valuable insights into seafaring history, particularly during the late period of Islamic rule in southern Spain. This underwater archive provides a comprehensive look at the cultural and military interactions that shaped the region over millennia.
The Guardian