Medieval shipwreck unearthed during construction in Barcelona. Take a look (2025)

At a construction site in Barcelona, Spain, archaeologists sifted through the sandy soil. They’d already uncovered ruins of an air raid shelter, old fish market and 18th century citadel — but the medieval ship that reemerged left them stunned.

A team of archaeologists and restoration specialists began excavations at a plot of land near Ciutadella Park in downtown Barcelona in 2023 ahead of some zoo-related construction, the Barcelona Archaeology Service said in an April 24 news release.

For over two years, archaeologists worked at the site, but their most significant find came from the final phase of the project in early April. While digging about 15 feet down, the team unearthed a ship.

The shipwreck, dubbed Ciutadella I after the nearby park, dated between 1400 to 1600 and was either sunken or abandoned, archaeologists said.

Photos show what remains of the 400-year-old ship, which measures about 32 feet by 10 feet. Dozens of wooden planks survive, along with several wooden dowels and a few iron nails.

Archaeologists also found some plant materials, including hazelnut seeds and pine cones, near the ship and some bones, a photo shows.

Although wood is a historically common shipbuilding material, it is a rare material for archaeologists to find, officials said. Wood deteriorates rapidly unless preserved in a low-oxygen environment, such as water or mud.

To preserve the fragile ship, archaeologists kept the wreck partially buried while taking samples and studying it, officials said. Another photo shows the excavation process.

Archaeologists said they plan to transfer the ship to a specialized facility for further conservation.

Excavations near the Ciutadella Park also uncovered an air raid shelter built in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War to protect workers at an old fish market, archaeologists said. The partially destroyed shelter was documented then dismantled.

Other finds included structures related to an 18th century citadel and various 19th and early 20th century structures linked to the Old Fish Market.

Barcelona is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain and a roughly 390-mile drive northeast of Madrid.

Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Barcelona Archaeology Service.