Exceptional swells caused by Cyclone Harry unveiled at Poetto beach(Cagliari) a wreck of considerable archaeological interest. The remains of anancient vessel, carried by the waves to the shore, were immediately noticed by some citizens, who promptly reported the event to the relevant authorities.
The Cagliari Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, in collaboration with the Carabinieri Protection Unit and the Cagliari Municipality, arranged without delay for the recovery operations of the wooden remains, now deposited on the shoreline. The intervention was necessary to ensure the immediate preservation of the materials and prevent further damage caused by the sea and exposure to weathering. Initial investigations conducted by Superintendence technicians identified several components of the vessel’s supporting structure. Mads and ribs, key transverse elements in shipbuilding, were identified, along with several more difficult-to-read fragments. The condition of the finds, although compromised by long contact with the water and the force of the waves, provided important clues about the nature and size of the vessel. From preliminary analysis, experts believe it to be a vessel dating to themodern age, probably of considerable size. Although a more detailed examination is still needed, the type of the mates and ribs, together with the arrangement of the fragments, confirms the hypothesis that it is a vessel belonging to the European naval tradition of the 17th-18th centuries.
The discovery of the wreck takes on particular significance when put into context with what is known about the waters of Poetto. Already in the past, two wrecks had been identified off the Lido by the Air Force, dating back to the late 18th century and related to the French expedition of 1793. These vessels were documented in both historical sources and ancient nautical charts, which record the presence of French fleet units near the Cagliari coast. Although a direct connection to these wrecks cannot be established at present, the coincidence of time and area of discovery makes the discovery particularly important for studies of navigation and foreign military presence in the waters of the Gulf of Cagliari.
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| Tidal flats at Poetto in Cagliari unearth modern vessel, possible wreck of 1793 French expedition |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
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