2024 campaign at the Salvador Shipwreck
From December 8 to December 20, 2024, research will continue on the underwater site of the Salvador Shipwreck, nestled in the heart of Maldonado Bay, Uruguay. This effort is part of the ambitious project, “Maritime Archaeology of Maldonado Bay: Towards the Consolidation of a Model for Research and Conservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage in Uruguay”.
Focused exploration through science
Building on the 2023 geophysical data, this year’s campaign centers on scientific diving activities. The team will investigate specific points identified as diagnostic, seeking to uncover new insights into the wreck and its historical context. This focused exploration is expected to deepen understanding of the site while contributing to the broader preservation of underwater cultural heritage.
An international collaboration
This initiative thrives through collaboration under UNESCO’s UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology, bringing together experts from across the globe. Key contributors include colleagues from Argentina’s Buenos Aires University (UBA) and CONICET: Nicolás Ciarlo, Ana Castelli, and Julieta Frère. Co-principal investigator and Cadiz University PhD candidate Matías Dourteau also plays a pivotal role in guiding this research.
Driving conservation in Uruguay
The Laboratory of Underwater Archaeology and Conservation (LAC/CIPAC) leads this effort under the coordination of Rodrigo Torres. The dedicated LAC team—Samila Ferreira, Juan Nuñez, and Sebastián Tito—operates out of the Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE-UdelaR), combining technical expertise and passion to safeguard Uruguay’s underwater cultural treasures.
The findings from this campaign are expected to provide valuable contributions to the study of underwater cultural heritage and serve as a reference for similar projects in the region and beyond.
