Archaeologists in Barcelona have made a major discovery. While preparing an old fish market site for a new research center, they uncovered a medieval shipwreck. The area will soon become home to a new center for biomedicine and biodiversity.
This exciting find gives fresh insights into life during medieval times.
A Hidden Treasure Beneath the City
Earlier this month, workers found part of a ship’s stern about five meters below sea level. Experts believe a strong storm sank the ship during the 15th or 16th century when the area was still underwater.
The wreck measures about 10 meters long and three meters wide. It displays more than 30 curved wooden ribs. Builders used both wooden and iron nails to construct the ship, matching the Mediterranean style common after the mid-1400s.
Lead archaeologist Santi Palacios shared his excitement. “Two years later, we have been lucky enough to uncover a boat,” he said. Finding such a ship so well preserved surprised the entire team.
Special Care to Preserve the Ancient Ship
The team named the ship Ciutadella I after the nearby Ciutadella park. Since the wood remains fragile, the crew keeps it damp and covered with sand. This method helps protect the wreck from drying out and falling apart.
Restorer Delia Eguiluz explained the process. “We must keep the wood wet to preserve it properly,” she noted. Later, the team will dismantle the vessel piece-by-piece for careful study.
Meanwhile, archaeologists continue mapping the wreck and labeling each part. They are also collecting samples of wood and resin. After they document everything, they will transfer Ciutadella I to a special lab. There, experts will treat the wood with a water-based wax to make it strong and stable.
As a result, researchers hope to uncover new details about medieval shipbuilding.
How the Find Boosts Historical Knowledge
This discovery adds to previous finds in the city. Seventeen years ago, archaeologists uncovered another medieval wreck called Barceloneta I near a Barcelona railway station.
Unlike Barceloneta I, Ciutadella I features a Mediterranean design. This difference matters because it shows that multiple ship types sailed through Barcelona’s port.
“Now we have two well-documented examples of naval construction in Barcelona,” Palacios said. In addition, studying the new ship could show how shipbuilding evolved across regions.
Tests on the wood, nails, and resin will help pinpoint where builders created the ship. The results may also reveal what goods it carried and which routes it followed across the sea.
Why Medieval Ships Are So Important
Shipwrecks like Ciutadella I offer a rare view into the past. During the 15th and 16th centuries, cities like Barcelona depended on ships for trade and travel. Ships carried goods, people, and ideas between continents.
Without ships, many parts of Europe would have struggled to grow their economies. Furthermore, maritime trade helped spread cultures, languages, and technology across the region.
Each shipwreck tells a story. Some vessels sank during fierce storms. Others fell during battles or ran aground on hidden rocks. Every wreck gives clues about the dangers and skills involved in sailing long ago.
What Comes Next for Ciutadella I
The work ahead will take a lot of patience. The team must remove the ship slowly and safely. After moving it to the lab, they will clean and strengthen each piece.
Thanks to modern tools like 3D scanning, researchers can create digital models of the wreck. These models will allow historians, students, and the public to study the ship without damaging the original.
Later, if preservation efforts succeed, Ciutadella I could go on public display. Seeing such a rare artifact up close would connect many visitors with a forgotten world.
Protecting History for Future Generations
This discovery reminds everyone why protecting archaeological sites matters. Even in a modern, growing city like Barcelona, traces of ancient life still lie hidden underground.
Careful work by archaeologists, restorers, and historians ensures that treasures like Ciutadella I can survive for many years to come. These efforts keep our shared history alive and help future generations learn from the past.