Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Archaeologists have been captivated by the recent discovery of a Medieval ship that had been hidden for 500 years. Accidentally unearthed by the Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service, this wooden vessel is believed to have sunk during a 15th-century storm. Measuring 10 meters long and 3 meters wide, it has been named “Ciutadella I” after the nearby Ciutadella Park.
The medieval ship discovered in Barcelona has been named Ciutadella I, due to its proximity to Ciutadella Park, where it was found. This significant archaeological find offers valuable insights into the region’s maritime history during the medieval period. Credit: Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service
Found five meters (18 feet) beneath the ground at the former Mercat de Peix in Barcelona, Spain, the ship features a construction style known as “skeleton” construction—characterized by its 30 curved wooden ribs and at least seven hull planks held together with wooden and iron nails—a method popular in Mediterranean and European regions from the mid-15th century.
Remains of the wreck of Ciutadella I. Credit: Emiliano Hinojo, Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service
Santi Palacios, director of the excavation team, described it as an “exceptional” find due to its size and rarity; it’s only the second seagoing vessel discovered in Barcelona—the first being “The Barceloneta I,” found in 2008 near Estació de França train station. Discovered during an archaeological excavation that began in March 2023, ‘Ciutadella I’ is classified as a ‘derelict’—a sunken or abandoned vessel buried over time under sediment.
Credit: Emiliano Hinojo, Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service
Archaeologists working on cleaning the remains of the Ciutadella I wreck. Credit: Emiliano Hinojo, Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service
Given its fragile state, archaeologists are handling it carefully; its water-soaked wooden frame remains covered with sand to prevent drying until it can be moved for proper preservation. Upcoming radiocarbon (C-14) and resin analyses will help determine its age and origins. According to Palacios, these results promise “exceptional” insights into Barcelona’s historical maritime context.
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With about 10-15% of the site still unexplored, there is potential for further discoveries that could enhance understanding of medieval maritime activity in Barcelona. The Archaeology Service notes that this discovery complements previous findings from ‘Barceloneta I,’ offering a more comprehensive view of medieval trade routes through this key port city.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
