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Olhão, Portugal
Between the 8th and 16th
centuries, numerous people starting with the Vikings, followed
by Muslims, and finally the United Kingdom, respectively,
attacked southern Portugal. Because of these attacks, residents
and armies of southern Portugal built a series of fortresses
along the southern coast to protect important harbor ways and
cities. Historical records indicate that Fort de São
Lourenço was built in 1653 in order to protect the entrance
to Olhão’s harbor and the city it supported. The fort was
destroyed during a major storm event in 1824, and archaeological
remains that exist today.
The city of
Olhão
began as a modest fishing village in
1378. Since then Olhão has evolved into a home for more than
30,000 people and it is a tourist destination for many. The
city is a picturesque image of overlapping cubed houses with
terraces and belvederes. The image is complemented more by the
country’s beautiful coastline composed of sheer cliffs, inlets,
and islands. Beneath its
beautiful exterior, Olhão has an abundance of historical and
archaeological heritage, including one of its oldest monuments,
Fort de São Lourenço.
The 6th
expedition since the inception of Science, Education and Marine
Archeology Program in Portugal, OTF and partners spent 10 days
in June 2006 investigating the submerged site of Fort de São
Lourenço in addition to a terrestrial Roman site. Eleven
ambitious students from the University of Connecticut joined our
team of Portuguese and American researchers in the Ria Formosa
of Olhão. During the expedition students and researchers worked
collectively to explore aspects of Portugal's archaeological
heritage.
To date
little is known about the terrestrial Roman site. It is located
in Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and was used thousands of years
ago, it is believed, as a fish processing plant. Students
joined local archaeologists to learn essential archaeological
surveying skills. To scale
they mapped every inch of the stone wall perimeter of both
salting tanks and the remaining foundations of two huts believed
to have once been slave quarters.
Fort de São
Lourenço was built in 1653, but was destroyed by a tsunami
resulting from the Great Earthquake of 1755. A second attempt
to rebuild the fort was later made, but this too was destroyed
in 1824 after a major storm. Today, remains of the
fort lie underwater in 0.5 to 2.5 meter depth, approximately 3
kilometers from the mainland.
 Upon
the first trip to the site the team quickly learned that not all
was lost hundreds of years ago. Two rusty cannons still lay
right side up in the sand. A
few feet away a two and a half meter, circular structure carved
of stone projects out of the sand. This stone structure is a
mystery to the researchers, as the object does not appear on any
historical maps of the fort.
This did not stop the team as they eagerly surveyed the
submerged site during low tides.
With the help of
the Portuguese research team the students were taught how to
accurately map the site, in addition to recording the size a nd
locations of scattered remains. Suited with wetsuits and
snorkels, the team used a large vacuum-like device to excavate
around the perimeter of the stone structure. Members carefully
took turns sifting through a mesh bag of rocks, shells, and
debris. In the process, the
team was excited to find pieces of ancient pottery and bits of
charred wood below the sandy bottom, all clues to previous human
life in the fort.
The team took a
break from archaeology by visiting Zoomarine for a day. The
staff at Zoomarine hosted the team as th ey
learned about animals in the park and the day-to-day happenings
that keep the marine park operating smoothly.
A highlight of
the expedition was the hands-on learning opportunity and
cultural exchange experience by the students. Here is what one
student had to say: “This ten day adventure meant the
establishment of close ties between the Portuguese team as well
as closer ties amongst the UConn students. Both our groups ate,
slept and laughed under the same roof on a trip that seemed much
too short. Although saddened to say our good-byes, all of us
left Portugal with invaluable hands-on work experience and a
greater appreciation for such a beautiful culture. Many of us
may never have an opportunity to return to Portugal, but the
memories and friendships established while there will last a
lifetime”.
See
Additional Photos In The Photo Gallery
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