More than 150 shipwrecks discovered beneath Gibraltar waters

Spanish archaeologists have documented a vast underwater graveyard in the Bay of Gibraltar, identifying more than 150 archaeological sites, including over 130 shipwrecks dating from the 5th century BC to the Second World War.

Using diving surveys and underwater mapping, researchers from the University of Cádiz have been exploring the waters around the Strait of Gibraltar, a strategic maritime crossroads linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

The discoveries include vessels from the Punic, Roman, medieval and early modern periods, offering a unique record of trade, migration and conflict over more than two millennia. Researchers say some areas of the bay contain clusters of wrecks from different historical eras.

Experts believe the seabed may still conceal as many as 2,000 sunken ships. Rather than recovering artefacts, the team is currently focused on documenting and mapping the sites to better understand how the region was used by different cultures throughout history.