Archaeologists excavating the site of the former fish market in Barcelona have uncovered the remains of a large medieval ship.
The team made this discovery at the location of a future center for biomedicine and biodiversity. Previously, several artifacts had already been found here, shedding light on the city’s history, including a bomb shelter from the Spanish Civil War and remnants of an 18th-century market.
What Did the Team Report?
At a depth of 16 feet below sea level, the archaeologists stumbled upon the wrecked stern of a large vessel. Scientists speculate that it may have sunk during a storm in the 15th or 16th century.
A large fragment measuring 33 feet long and 10 feet wide is intersected by more than 30 curved wooden ribs, The Guardian reported. The structure was fastened with wooden and iron nails, typical of medieval ships whose remains have been found throughout the Mediterranean and across Europe.
“We suspected that archaeological remains of a ship might be hidden somewhere in this area, which is located near the port and an artificial stone dock that protected the port and served as a working area in the 15th and 16th centuries,” said lead excavator Santi Palacios. Two years after these predictions, the archaeologists finally discovered the ship.
It has been named “Ciutadella I” in honor of the nearby Ciutadella Park. Over the centuries, the ship’s planks have become quite fragile. However, it has not disintegrated, as it lay beneath moist sand.
Restorer Delia Egilus noted, “The wood needs to be kept constantly moist to preserve it better. When we transport the ship, we will have to dismantle it into separate parts to continue our research.”
The team is currently mapping the site, marking the details of the ship, and taking samples of its material for analysis. In the next phase, the fragments will be transported to a specialized facility where they will be treated with water-soluble wax for strengthening and better preservation.
Experts believe that these old beams and nails will shed new light on shipbuilding during the medieval period. The team hopes that analyzing the wood and resin of the recently discovered vessel will help determine where it was made.
Interestingly, this discovery comes 17 years after another 15th-century ship, known as “Barceloneta I,” was found in Barcelona near the train station.