Spanish Archaeologists Uncover Trove of Ancient Shipwrecks in Bay of Gibraltar
Spanish archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Bay of Gibraltar, documenting the wrecks of more than 30 ships that span from the fifth century BC to the Second World War. This extensive research, part of the Herakles Project led by the University of Cádiz, has identified 151 archaeological sites, including 134 shipwrecks, in the bay that curves between Algeciras and the Rock of Gibraltar.
A Maritime Crossroads Through the Ages
Over millennia, the bay, situated at the northern end of the Strait of Gibraltar, has swallowed vessels from diverse eras and cultures. The findings include Phoenician and Roman ships, as well as British, Spanish, Venetian, and Dutch vessels, alongside the occasional aeroplane wreck. To date, researchers from the University of Cádiz and the University of Granada have meticulously documented 34 of these wrecks.
The oldest wreck dates back to the Punic era in the fifth century BC, with other significant discoveries comprising 23 Roman ships, two late Roman ships, four medieval ships, and 24 vessels from the early modern period. These sunken artifacts, such as an agile 18th-century Spanish gunboat and a 1930s aeroplane engine, narrate tales of war, trade, exploration, and settlement around one of the world's most strategically vital waterways.
Insights from the Herakles Project
Felipe Cerezo Andreo, a professor of archaeology at the University of Cádiz and leader of Project Herakles, emphasized the bay's historical significance as a watery crossroads. "It's one of those bottlenecks through which ships have always had to pass, whether on commercial shipping routes, voyages of discovery, or due to armed conflicts," he explained. "There are really few places in the Mediterranean that have this kind of concentration and such a significant variety of archaeological remains, especially in terms of different cultures or different nations."
The team was particularly excited to document three medieval vessels that could illuminate seafaring during the late period of Islamic rule in southern Spain. Among the notable finds is the wreck of the Puente Mayorga IV, a small, late 18th-century gunboat used for stealthy attacks on British ships near Gibraltar. These craft often disguised themselves as fishing boats before revealing their true intent and firing prow-mounted cannons.
Unexpected Discoveries and Preservation Efforts
During an excavation, Cerezo encountered a book-shaped wooden box in the Puente Mayorga IV wreck, initially thought to hold espionage documents. However, it contained wooden combs, suggesting the officer prioritized grooming over spying. This find highlights the personal stories embedded in these archaeological sites.
Cerezo and his colleagues are advocating for the preservation of these sites, which face threats from port development, dredging, dock construction, and the climate emergency. Rising sea levels and invasive algae are altering sediment layers and damaging wrecks. To raise awareness, the researchers have created virtual models and 360-degree videos, shared online and in local museums, allowing the public to experience dryland diving and understand the importance of protecting these historical treasures.
A Microcosm of Maritime History
The Bay of Gibraltar offers a unique microcosm of thousands of years of maritime and cultural development. "What we have here is a very small space that allows us to analyse the evolution of maritime history throughout practically the whole of the Iberian peninsula and north Africa," said Cerezo. This project not only documents artifacts but also reconstructs the stories of coastal societies and their intense relationship with the sea, providing invaluable insights into our shared heritage.
