SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Ships and Navies => Topic started by: DBS on Apr 16, 2026, 06:26 AM

Title: 134 shipwrecks identified in Bay of Gibraltar
Post by: DBS on Apr 16, 2026, 06:26 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/15/hidden-treasures-spanish-archaeologists-discover-trove-of-ancient-shipwrecks-in-bay-of-gibraltar

As one might imagine, cover about 2400 years' worth of navigational loss, including, apparently, a 5th century BC wreck and several Roman/Byzantine period vessels.

Will be interesting if an English language write-up materialises in due course.
Title: Re: 134 shipwrecks identified in Bay of Gibraltar
Post by: Imperial Dave on Apr 16, 2026, 06:33 AM
That's a fair few...
Title: Re: 134 shipwrecks identified in Bay of Gibraltar
Post by: Ian61 on Apr 16, 2026, 07:18 AM
Actually surprised only the one Punic era wreck, the Phoecians were regularly going through the straights on the way to Cadiz from the 8th century BCE. There again they were good sailors and perhaps kept the the southern side.
Title: Re: 134 shipwrecks identified in Bay of Gibraltar
Post by: DBS on Apr 16, 2026, 09:35 AM
I am sure there were many more wrecks, just the odds of survival and detection lengthen the further one goes back in time.  Also, I would note that said wreck is described as Punic-era, rather than Punic, so may not necessarily have been Phoenician or Carthaginian, as opposed to a cheeky Greek or Etruscan nipping into the Punic co-prosperity sphere...
Title: Re: 134 shipwrecks identified in Bay of Gibraltar
Post by: Ian61 on Apr 16, 2026, 01:23 PM
Quote from: DBS on Apr 16, 2026, 09:35 AMI am sure there were many more wrecks, just the odds of survival and detection lengthen the further one goes back in time.  Also, I would note that said wreck is described as Punic-era, rather than Punic, so may not necessarily have been Phoenician or Carthaginian, as opposed to a cheeky Greek or Etruscan nipping into the Punic co-prosperity sphere...

Good points.