Latest news with #ICUB
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Construction Workers Discover ‘Skeleton' of Medieval Ship
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Construction workers excavating the site of a former fish market in Spain made a breathtaking discovery in the form of a medieval wooden ship. The Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) reported (via Euro News) that the ship was unearthed between April 10 and 15 in the Catalan capital at the site of what was formerly a fish market, making the ship's final resting place a fitting one. The ship, named Ciutadella, dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The ICUB related the discovery to the city's rich maritime history. Related: Archaeologists Find Chilling Scene During Pompeii Excavation 'Starting in 1439, with the construction of the first artificial docks, the dynamics of the coastline were altered, and the sandbar known as the Tasca, which had protected the city for centuries, disappeared,' a statement read. 'The combination of coastal drift, the mouth of the Besòs River, and storms caused a rapid advance of the beach, covering ancient marine spaces.' Unearthed from the ground was the ship's complete 'skeleton,' which measured 32 feet long and 10 feet wide and included about 30 still-intact wooden frames. 'At least seven stakes of the hull' were also recovered, according to the statement. 'The planks are nailed to the frames with circular-section wooden pegs, a type of wooden nail used to join the pieces,' the ICUB explained. 'Two longitudinal pieces – palmellars or saws – fixed with iron nails are also preserved,' the statement continued. 'This system, known as skeleton construction, was common in the medieval Mediterranean and spread throughout Europe from the mid-15th century.' Related: Archaeologists Discover Oldest-Known Neanderthal Artifact The ICUB stipulated that the ship is 'in a very fragile state of preservation' and noted that its survival in any form is nothing short of miraculous considering how rapidly wood is known to deteriorate. 'Although wood is a common material in historical shipbuilding, it only preserves in very specific environments, such as aquatic ones, and deteriorates rapidly when exposed to air,' the ICUB said. 'The waterlogged wood is extremely sensitive, and to prevent it from drying out and degrading, it has been partially covered with the original sand that surrounded it.' The ICUB is now working with the Archaeology Service of Barcelona, 'with advice from the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia – Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Catalonia (CASC) – to ensure the proper documentation and preservation of the structure.'
New York Post
03-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Archaeologists find centuries-old shipwreck in unlikely place
A centuries-old shipwreck was recently found in an unlikely place in Spain: a former fish market. The Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) said the decayed ship was found in the former Mercat del Peix – which translates to 'fish market' – in the Catalan capital. Named Ciutadella I, the shipwreck was found between April 10 and April 15. Discovered during construction work, the ship dates back between the 15th and 16th centuries. The discovery reflects Barcelona's maritime history, said ICUB. 'Starting in 1439, with the construction of the first artificial docks, the dynamics of the coastline were altered, and the sandbar known as the Tasca, which had protected the city for centuries, disappeared,' said the organization's statement, which was translated from Catalan to English. 'The combination of coastal drift, the mouth of the Besòs River, and storms caused a rapid advance of the beach, covering ancient marine spaces.' 4 The Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) said the decayed ship was in the former Mercat del Peix, which translates to 'fish market.' Facebook/Barcelona Cultura ICUB also noted that ship's main structure – a 'skeleton' measuring 32 feet in length and nearly 10 feet in width – also consisted of 30 curved wooded frames. 'At least seven stakes of the hull [were also found],' said the statement. 'The planks are nailed to the frames with circular-section wooden pegs, a type of wooden nail used to join the pieces.' 4 'The planks are nailed to the frames with circular-section wooden pegs, a type of wooden nail used to join the pieces,' ICUB said. Facebook/Barcelona Cultura 'Two longitudinal pieces – palmellars or saws – fixed with iron nails are also preserved,' ICUB noted. 'This system, known as skeleton construction, was common in the medieval Mediterranean and spread throughout Europe from the mid-15th century.' Researchers are currently studying organic remains found near the shipwreck, which include hazelnut seeds and whole pine cones, and 'could have a chronology similar to that of the vessel.' 4 The ship dates back between the 15th and 16th centuries. Facebook/Barcelona Cultura Yet ICUB also cautioned that the ship's remains 'are in a very fragile state of preservation' at the moment. The ship's survival is considered a miracle, as wood deteriorates easily. 4 3D documentation, marking, sampling and preparations to move the ship in water-filled containers are being planned. Facebook/Barcelona Cultura 'Although wood is a common material in historical shipbuilding, it only preserves in very specific environments, such as aquatic ones, and deteriorates rapidly when exposed to air,' the government agency noted. 'The waterlogged wood is extremely sensitive, and to prevent it from drying out and degrading, it has been partially covered with the original sand that surrounded it,' the statement added. 'The Archaeology Service of Barcelona, with advice from the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia – Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Catalonia (CASC) – is working to ensure the proper documentation and preservation of the structure.' Archaeologists plan to conduct additional work – including 3D documentation, marking, sampling, and preparing to move the ship in water-filled containers. The shipwreck will be transported to a facility where its wood will be desalinated, in order to preserve it. 'This treatment is essential to preserve both the physical structure of the ship and its archaeological value, as it constitutes a unique source of knowledge about navigation and shipbuilding techniques used in 15th and 16th century Barcelona,' ICUB's press release concluded.
Fox News
03-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologists uncover centuries-old shipwreck beneath historic city: 'Unique source of knowledge'
A centuries-old shipwreck was recently found in an unlikely place in Spain: a former fish market. The Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) said the decayed ship was found in the former Mercat del Peix – which translates to "fish market" – in the Catalan capital. Named Ciutadella I, the shipwreck was found between April 10 and April 15. Discovered during construction work, the ship dates back between the 15th and 16th centuries. The discovery reflects Barcelona's maritime history, said ICUB. "Starting in 1439, with the construction of the first artificial docks, the dynamics of the coastline were altered, and the sandbar known as the Tasca, which had protected the city for centuries, disappeared," said the organization's statement, which was translated from Catalan to English. "The combination of coastal drift, the mouth of the Besòs River, and storms caused a rapid advance of the beach, covering ancient marine spaces." ICUB also noted that ship's main structure – a "skeleton" measuring 32 feet in length and nearly 10 feet in width – also consisted of 30 curved wooded frames. "At least seven stakes of the hull [were also found]," said the statement. "The planks are nailed to the frames with circular-section wooden pegs, a type of wooden nail used to join the pieces." "Two longitudinal pieces – palmellars or saws – fixed with iron nails are also preserved," ICUB noted. "This system, known as skeleton construction, was common in the medieval Mediterranean and spread throughout Europe from the mid-15th century." Researchers are currently studying organic remains found near the shipwreck, which include hazelnut seeds and whole pine cones, and "could have a chronology similar to that of the vessel." Yet ICUB also cautioned that the ship's remains "are in a very fragile state of preservation" at the moment. The ship's survival is considered a miracle, as wood deteriorates easily. The shipwreck will be transported to a facility where its wood will be desalinated, in order to preserve it. "Although wood is a common material in historical shipbuilding, it only preserves in very specific environments, such as aquatic ones, and deteriorates rapidly when exposed to air," the government agency noted. "The waterlogged wood is extremely sensitive, and to prevent it from drying out and degrading, it has been partially covered with the original sand that surrounded it," the statement added. "The Archaeology Service of Barcelona, with advice from the Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia – Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Catalonia (CASC) - is working to ensure the proper documentation and preservation of the structure." Archaeologists plan to conduct additional work – including 3D documentation, marking, sampling, and preparing to move the ship in water-filled containers. The shipwreck will be transported to a facility where its wood will be desalinated, in order to preserve it. "This treatment is essential to preserve both the physical structure of the ship and its archaeological value, as it constitutes a unique source of knowledge about navigation and shipbuilding techniques used in 15th and 16th century Barcelona," ICUB's press release concluded.
