CNN: Small sea area between Europe and Africa is where as many as 124 shipwrecks occurred

Reporting from N1 Serbia, this article delves into a fascinating discovery in the waters between Europe and Africa: the Bay of Algeciras, near the Strait of Gibraltar, has been revealed as a significant historical maritime graveyard. CNN's findings, corroborated by Spanish archaeologists, point to an astonishing 124 shipwrecks within a relatively small area, alongside 151 identified underwater archaeological sites.

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Spanish archaeologists say they have identified 151 underwater archaeological sites, including 124 shipwrecks, in a 75.1 square kilometer bay during research conducted between 2020 and 2023.

The scale of this discovery is immense, with wrecks spanning millennia – from the Punic and Roman eras, through the Middle Ages, and into modern times. This rich underwater heritage underscores the Bay of Algeciras's long-standing importance as a crucial crossroads for regional and global maritime traffic. Researchers highlight that the bay served as a vital stopover for transatlantic voyages and a strategic point for controlling the Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow passage connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

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The shipwrecks date from different eras and civilizations, including the ancient Punic (Carthaginian) civilization, as well as the Roman, medieval, and modern periods.

What makes this discovery particularly compelling is the confirmation of historical records through tangible evidence. While archives mention thousands of maritime incidents, many shipwrecks remained undiscovered until recent archaeological efforts. The oldest identified wreck dates back to the 5th century BCE, likely carrying fish sauce from Cadiz. More recent finds include vessels lost during the Napoleonic Wars and even remnants of Italian 'Maiale' submarines from World War II.

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The discovery of shipwrecks confirms the significance of the bay as a maritime hub of regional and global importance.

Interestingly, the article notes that climate change is playing an unexpected role, altering sea currents and sediment movement, thereby revealing these submerged historical sites. This environmental factor, while posing its own challenges, has inadvertently aided archaeologists in uncovering a significant chapter of maritime history. The Strait of Gibraltar, much like the Strait of Hormuz, is a critical chokepoint, and the history buried beneath the waters of the Bay of Algeciras offers a profound glimpse into the centuries of trade, conflict, and human endeavor that have traversed these vital sea lanes.

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Although thousands of maritime accidents are mentioned in historical and archival sources, many shipwrecks remain undiscovered because there has been little archaeological research into the history hidden under the sea until now.