Project Herakles identifies 150 underwater archaeological sites in Bay of Gibraltar
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 4
Project Herakles identifies 150 underwater archaeological sites in Bay of Gibraltar
4 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 4
The six-year University of Cádiz and University of Granada project found wrecks from the 5th century BC to World War Two, including 23 Roman ships, four medieval vessels and 1930s aircraft remains.
Researchers said the bay, linking the Atlantic and Mediterranean, preserves a continuous maritime record uncovered through archive work, fishermen's knowledge, magnetometers and seafloor scanning.
Many sites are in critical condition, threatened by port construction, looting, erosion and invasive algae, prompting plans for photogrammetry, 3D models, an underwater park and virtual-reality access.
How can 151 historic shipwrecks survive in one of the world's busiest industrial shipping hubs?
Can scientists save 2,500 years of sunken history from an invasive algae rapidly blanketing the seabed?
The Bay of Gibraltar’s Underwater Graveyard: 134 Shipwrecks Documented by Project Herakles
Overview
Project Herakles (2023–2026) uncovered a remarkable shipwreck graveyard in the Bay of Gibraltar, revealing 124 to 134 vessels spanning 2,500 years of maritime history. The bay's unique geography creates intense traffic and natural hazards, which, along with naval conflicts and human error, caused these shipwrecks. Climate change is now uncovering previously buried wrecks but also making them vulnerable to erosion, industrial development, and invasive species. To protect this fragile heritage, legal efforts, advanced technologies like AI and robotics, and public engagement through digital access are being pursued. Future deep-water exploration using underwater robots promises to reveal even more hidden history beneath the waves.