The National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) has begun an investigation that promises to revolutionize our understanding of maritime history in the waters of Baja California. This project focuses on discovering traces of sunken ships and trade routes dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, including accounts of pirates and sailors who used these waters for more than three centuries.
One of the main objectives of the investigation is to locate the SS Sacramento, a ship built in the United States in 1864 that sank in 1872. This legendary ship represents a symbol of the vast commercial and maritime activity that characterized the region during the 19th century. The waters of Ensenada, in Baja California, are now the scene of intense archaeological explorations led by experts seeking to trace and preserve this piece of history.
Previous research has revealed that these waters contain a maritime time capsule, with remains of vessels from different eras and nationalities, which reinforces their archaeological importance.
The “Archaeological Inventory of Shipwrecks” project
Within the framework of the “Archaeological Inventory of Shipwrecks from the 19th and 20th Centuries in the Mexican Pacific” project, the Ministry of Culture of Mexico, the INAH and the Subdirectorate of Underwater Archaeology (SAS) are collaborating to carry out an exhaustive registry of shipwrecks on the coasts of Baja California.
According to INAH communiqué 256, it is expected to identify at least five sunken vessels in Rosario Bay as part of this ambitious effort. The explorations are scheduled to focus on two areas of great archaeological relevance: the Todos Santos Islands, in Ensenada, and the Sacramento Reef, in Rosario Bay.
These areas have been selected due to their high potential to contain remains of vessels from different historical periods. Preliminary investigations carried out between 2021 and 2022 have already produced promising indications.
Source: es.gizmodo
