Catalonia's Underwater Sites
Almost everything can be transported by sea: human beings, food in bulk or in amphoras, building materials, metal ingots and all manner of commercial objects, including elements of warfare. Many such shipments, together with personal items from travellers and crew, can be found at the bottom of the sea.
Since its creation, the Underwater Archaeology Centre of Catalonia has invested a great deal of time in the drawing up of s subaquiatic archaeological map of Catalonia: the inventory of sites, their characteristics and state of conservation.
Furthermore, the remains of certain man-made constructions may rest beneath the water. This is the case with several of Empúries’ port structures or la Draga, a Neolithic settlement partly submerged in the Banyoles Lake, which dates back some 7,000 years, making it the oldest underwater site in Catalonia. This site presents pavements formed from tree bark and, over these, flint tools with conserved wooden handles. Water’s unique conditions enhance the preservation of organic materials such as cloth, leather, wood, food remains, etc., elements that would have disappeared through exposure to air. Thanks to its preservative properties, we can now take a detailed look at Roman wooden ships like the one at Cap del Volt (Port de la Selva) or medieval vessels such as the Culip VI (Cadaqués) and Les Sorres X (Castelldefels), from the 14th century. Based on these findings, we have accrued a more in-depth knowledge of ancient naval technology and navigation conditions.
794 sites have been documented in Catalonia underwater, subdivided into the following types:
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Underwater sites
| Alt Empordà | Baix Empordà | ||
| Baix Ebre | Baix Llobregat | ||
| Baix Penedès | Pla de l'Estany | ||
| Ribera d'Ebre | Segrià | ||
| Tarragonès |
