In the heart of Barcelona, on the site of a former fish market, archaeologists have made an exciting discovery - they have discovered the remains of a large boat dating back to the Middle Ages. As it is supposed, this ship
wrecked about 500-600 years ago at a time when the territory of the modern capital of Catalonia was partially under water.
Excavations are being carried out at the site where the construction of a new center for biomedicine and biodiversity is planned. This place has long been of interest to archaeologists: not only elements of the infrastructure of the old city of the XVIII century, but also shelters from the Spanish Civil War were found here. However, it is the latest discovery that has caused a special resonance among the scientific community.
Earlier this month, archaeologists came across the ruined stern of a massive ship that may have sunk during a violent storm in the 15th or 16th century. Judging by its design, the ship was probably used for cargo transportation or fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was tentatively named "Ciutadella I", in honor of the nearby park of the same name.
The size of the medieval boat fragment is impressive: about 10 meters long and 3 meters wide, and its hull is crossed by more than 30 curved wooden ribs.
The structure is fastened with both wooden and metal nails, a typical technique for shipbuilding of the period. According to archaeologists, these were common methods in Europe in the mid-15th century and later.
According toSanti Palacios, head of the archaeological team, the find confirms scientists' speculation that the area, near the old port and stone quay, was actively used as an industrial and handicraft zone during the Middle Ages. "We have long speculated that the remains of ancient ships might be buried in this area. And after two years of hard work, we finally found one of them," Palacios says.
The condition of wooden elements requires a special approach. For centuries, the wood has been under a moist sandy layer, which has ensured its relative safety. Now, to prevent deterioration, experts continue to keep it in a moist environment.
"This kind of wood is extremely vulnerable to changes in humidity and temperature. If it is simply removed and dried, the structure will quickly deteriorate," explains Delia Egilus, the project's restorer. "We will take the structure apart piece by piece, labeling and analyzing each piece before moving it to the lab for further restoration."
Photo: theguardian.com
The next step is to treat the parts with a special water-soluble wax. This method allows to preserve the shape and texture of wooden structures, preventing their cracking and shrinkage. In parallel, experts collect samples of wood and metal elements to study their composition and origin.
Of particular interest is the possibility of establishing the geographical location of the ship's construction. According to the researchers, the analysis of the type of wood, as well as resins and other organic residues, will help determine where exactly the ship was built - in local shipyards or somewhere else in the Mediterranean region.
The discovery of the "Ciutadella I" was the second of its kind in Barcelona in the last two decades. In 2008, another 15th century boat, the Barceloneta I, was discovered near the railroad station. However, unlike the current find, it was of Cantabrian origin, which shows the diversity of vessels that docked in the port of Barcelona in different historical periods.
"We now have two unique examples of shipbuilding from the Middle Ages, beautifully documented and researched in the context of urban history," emphasizes Santi Palacios. - "This allows us to take a fresh look at Barcelona's maritime culture and its importance in the trade and sea routes of Europe."
Scientists hope that these findings will allow them to reconstruct a detailed picture of the city's maritime infrastructure in the Middle Ages and make a significant contribution to the study of the history of shipbuilding in the region.