Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4
Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 North Annex · Baelo Site
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–300 CE)·Bronze Age–Classical·🇪🇸 Andalusia, Baelo Claudia, Spain
About
About Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4
Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 in Andalusia, Baelo Claudia, 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 36.0900N -5.7730E 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, Baelo Claudia, 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
- 1990 survey
- Excavation
- Submerged
c. 1500 BCE–200 CE
Initial construction of Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 main structure
c. 1930
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1990–2005
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0900° N · 5.7730° W · -2 m · 4 mapped features
Baelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal submerged city — Submerged area 450 × 280 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
36.0908° N · 5.7721° WBaelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 — Ancillary Complex
harbourAncillary harbour mole and anchorage surrounding main feature
36.0890° N · 5.7737° WBaelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
36.0915° N · 5.7718° WBaelo Claudia Submerged Fish-Salting Factory 4 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
36.0884° N · 5.7741° W