Archaeologists Uncover Centuries-old Shipwreck Beneath Historic City: 'unique Source Of Knowledge'

A centuries-old shipwreck was precocious recovered successful an improbable spot successful Spain: a erstwhile food market.

The Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) said nan decayed vessel was recovered successful nan erstwhile Mercat del Peix – which translates to "fish market" – successful nan Catalan capital. Named Ciutadella I, nan shipwreck was found betwixt April 10 and April 15.

Discovered during building work, nan vessel dates backmost betwixt nan 15th and 16th centuries. The find reflects Barcelona's maritime history, said ICUB.

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"Starting successful 1439, pinch nan building of nan first artificial docks, nan dynamics of nan coastline were altered, and nan sandbar known arsenic nan Tasca, which had protected nan metropolis for centuries, disappeared," said nan organization's statement, which was translated from Catalan to English. 

"The operation of coastal drift, nan rima of nan Besòs River, and storms caused a accelerated beforehand of nan beach, covering ancient marine spaces."

Archaeologists successful Spain precocious discovered nan remnants of a shipwreck beneath a historical area of Barcelona. (Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB))

ICUB besides noted that ship's main building – a "skeleton" measuring 32 feet successful magnitude and astir 10 feet successful width – besides consisted of 30 curved wooded frames. 

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"At slightest 7 stakes of nan hull [were besides found]," said nan statement.

"The planks are nailed to nan frames pinch circular-section woody pegs, a type of woody nail utilized to subordinate nan pieces."

The shipwreck dates backmost to nan 15th aliases 16th centuries, according to archaeologists. (Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB))

"Two longitudinal pieces – palmellars aliases saws – fixed pinch robust nails are besides preserved," ICUB noted. 

"This system, known arsenic skeleton construction, was communal successful nan medieval Mediterranean and dispersed passim Europe from nan mid-15th century."

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Researchers are presently studying organic remains recovered adjacent nan shipwreck, which see hazelnut seeds and full conifer cones, and "could person a chronology akin to that of nan vessel."

Pine cones, suspected to day backmost hundreds of years, were besides recovered astatine nan Barcelona excavation site. (Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB))

Yet ICUB besides cautioned that nan ship's remains "are successful a very vulnerable authorities of preservation" astatine nan moment. 

The ship's endurance is considered a miracle, arsenic wood deteriorates easily.

The shipwreck will beryllium transported to a installation wherever its wood will beryllium desalinated, successful bid to sphere it.

"Although wood is simply a communal worldly successful humanities shipbuilding, it only preserves successful very circumstantial environments, specified arsenic aquatic ones, and deteriorates quickly erstwhile exposed to air," nan authorities agency noted.

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"The waterlogged wood is highly sensitive, and to forestall it from drying retired and degrading, it has been partially covered pinch nan original soil that surrounded it," nan connection added. 

"The Archaeology Service of Barcelona, pinch proposal from the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia – Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Catalonia (CASC) - is moving to guarantee nan due archiving and preservation of nan structure."

Archaeologists are successful nan process of cautiously preserving nan wood, which is highly delicate aft being unearthed. (Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB))

Archaeologists scheme to behaviour further activity – including 3D documentation, marking, sampling, and preparing to move nan vessel successful water-filled containers. 

The shipwreck will beryllium transported to a installation wherever its wood will beryllium desalinated, successful bid to sphere it.

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"This curen is basal to sphere some nan beingness building of nan vessel and its archaeological value, arsenic it constitutes a unsocial root of knowledge astir navigation and shipbuilding techniques utilized successful 15th and 16th century Barcelona," ICUB's property merchandise concluded.