Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–300 CE)·Bronze Age–Classical·🇪🇸 Andalusia, Carteia, Spain
About
About Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2
Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2 in Andalusia, Carteia, Spain is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–300 CE) submerged city attributed to Bronze Age–Classical. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal submerged area 450 × 280 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.1860N -5.4100E controls access to Andalusia resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey submerged city for Andalusia, Carteia, illustrating Bronze Age–Classical construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Harbour drowned by co-seismic subsidence vs eustatic rise
- 02Continuity of anchorage location
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE–200 CE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age–Classical
- Purpose
- Coastal settlement and harbour now submerged by sea-level change/subsidence
- Rediscovered
- 1991 survey
- Excavation
- Submerged
c. 1500 BCE–200 CE
Initial construction of Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2 main structure
c. 1931
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1991–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.1860° N · 5.4100° W · -3 m · 3 mapped features
Carteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal submerged city — Submerged area 450 × 280 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
36.1868° N · 5.4091° WCarteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2 — Ancillary Complex
harbourAncillary harbour mole and anchorage surrounding main feature
36.1850° N · 5.4107° WCarteia Submerged Roman Harbour Pier 2 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
36.1875° N · 5.4088° W