500-YEAR-OLD WELL-PRESERVED SHIP UNCOVERED AT BARCELONA CONSTRUCTION SITE

Sat 26 April 2025:

Archaeologists in Barcelona revealed on Thursday the discovery of a well-preserved medieval ship at a construction site, providing a unique window into the city’s seafaring past.
The ship was uncovered earlier this month during parking lot construction at the site of the former fish market, now being transformed into a scientific innovation hub, as reported by El Periodico.

Measuring about 10 meters (32 feet) long and over 3 meters (10 feet) wide, the remains feature a framework of curved wooden ribs and hull planks, preserved by sediment that shielded the wood from deterioration, according to the archaeologists’ statement.

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The ship’s design reflects Mediterranean shipbuilding techniques prevalent in Europe during the late Middle Ages, likely dating to the 15th or early 16th century.

The find is considered remarkable for both its size and historical significance. “This discovery highlights Barcelona’s maritime evolution,” the statement noted, referencing the city’s first artificial docks built in 1439, which reshaped coastal dynamics for centuries.

Early conservation efforts for the “highly fragile” remains involve 3D modeling, sampling, and stabilization in water tanks. The wood will later undergo a process to replace moisture with wax for long-term preservation.

The redevelopment project also unearthed a 20th-century air raid shelter, 18th-century Ciutadella structures, remnants of the 19th-century fish market, and elements from the 1888 Universal Exposition.

In 2008, a comparable 15th-century ship, thought to be of Basque origin, was discovered near Barcelona’s old harbor. Fully restored, it is now showcased in a digital exhibit at the city’s history museum.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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