The Mediterranean is like a huge container of archaeological material.

Storms, especially those brought on by the sudden, strong Sirocco winds, and bad luck or carelessness on the part of mariners, have turned the Tarragona coast into the last resting place for many sunken ships and their cargoes.

It is not surprising therefore that underwater archaeology in Tarragona has turned up valuable finds, most notably in recent decades. These include the discovery in 1948, near Punta de la Móra, of a remarkable marble sarcophagus carved with illustrations of the beautiful and mythical story of Hippolytus and Phaedra.

The study of underwater archaeological sites in the waters of Tarragona has only just begun. Various locations along the coast from L'Ametlla to Calafell, the probable landing place of Els Carbuncles, await the outcome of scientific studies on them.

When we have the results of these studies on this almost unknown part of our archaeological heritage, we will have a fairly accurate and reliable idea of our ancestors' commerce and maritime way of life.