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Boca do Rio - Archeology in the Algarve
of Portugal
Near the small village of Vale de Boi in southwestern
Portugal lay the ruins of a 17th century fort called
Fortaleza S. Luis Almádena. It is believed to be a Roman fort
that was constructed in an area called Boca do Rio (mouth
of the river). Archaeologists believe the fort was used to
support tuna fishing, fish processing, and the manufacture of
fish paste.
The area was significantly damaged by a tsunami resulting
from the Great Earthquake of 1755. However, the site is
considered a historically and culturally significant area in
Portugal and in need of archaeological investigation, as well as
conservation. The Boca do Rio site lies within a
National Park in Portugal and is close to another archaeological
marvel, ‘L’Ocean’.
A French Man-of-War ship called ‘L’Ocean’, commanded by
Admiral de la Clue, managed to escape her defeat at the Battle
of Lagos on August 18, 1756 (or 1759?) against Vice Admiral
Boscowen. However, ‘L’Ocean’ sank in Boca do Rio as she
came into shelter under the Almádena Fort. Previously, the
wrecked site has been investigated by Francisco Alves in 1984
and 1991. ‘L’Ocean’ lies in shallow water, easily accessible to
trained divers.
In July 2005, American researchers
collaborated with Portuguese colleagues to lay the investigative
foundation for future research at each site. While working on
the Roman ruins of Fort Almádena, researchers put great emphasis
on mapping ruins located below the ground. This was done by
conducting an Electrical Resistivity Survey.
Electrical resistivity is a non-destructive
geophysical survey method designed to acquire a rapid and
inexpensive assessment of buried archaeological features. The
method is based on determining the differential resistance of
buried objects or features. Electrical resistance is a measure
of the degree to which an object opposes the passage of
electrical current. Features such as buried trash pits,
burials, hearths, and stone walls can be located using this
method.
Both teams also shared great excitement
while investigating the submerged shipwreck of ‘L’Ocean’. Their
goals were to add to investigative knowledge previously obtained
and to evaluate the site for educational purpose in the future.
In addition to this, researchers also
explored the underwater terrain off the beach of Boca do Rio
looking for evidence of ancient ships that may have sunk along
the Boca do Rio coastline associated with the Roman
community.
In the process they hoped to find evidence of a suspected pier
or wharf area reported to have existed prior to the Great
Earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Although diver surveys found
two old anchors in seven meters of water, no Roman-period
evidence was observed on the ocean floor.
This expedition, “provided a unique
opportunity for research and training for students in
terrestrial and underwater archaeology,” reported Kevin McBride,
Professor of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut.
“Students were introduced to methods and techniques of
excavation, site situations and complex features, and other
archaeological materials they would rarely have an opportunity
to experience in the United States,” he wrote. Thanks to the
great success of this first year pilot program, the teams plan
to revisit ‘L’Ocean’ in future years.
See
additional photos in Photo Gallery
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