The Mortella II & III Wrecks: premiminary observations on two 16th‐century archaeological sites discovered in Saint‐Florent Bay, Corsica, France

Abstract

In 2005 and 2006 the remains of great armed vessels dated from the 16th century were discovered within an archaeological survey framework led by the Société d'Etudes en Archéologie Subaquatique (SEAS) in Saint‐Florent Bay (north Corsica, France). The preliminary study of the two archaeological sites located, named Mortella II and Mortella III, sheds light on these highly interesting shipwrecks and the contribution their excavation—programmed for 2010—will be able to provide to the maritime archaeology of this period, about which relatively little is known.

© 2010 The Author

Key words:

• Mortella's shipwrecks
• Corsica
• Saint‐Florent
• 16th century
• Renaissance period
• Paulin de la Garde

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the European Community (Leader+), DRASSM (French Ministry of Culture) and the Territorial Collectivities of Corsica for supporting our research programme; the town of Saint‐Florent, the Groupe d'Actions Locales of Oletta, and Charles Pinelli, for their support. We also thank Franck Allegrini, Franck Léandri, Eric Rieth, Cristian Murray, Stéphane Orsini, Max Guérout and Charlotte Maus; François Gendron, Aïcha Gendron‐Badou and M. Fröhlich from MNHN; Renato Gianni Ridella, Sergio Sfrecola, Eliana M. Vecchi and Prof. Mannoni. For historical research, Antoine‐Marie Graziani, Arthur Filimon, Michel Vergé‐Franceschi. For permission to reproduce illustrations, Colin Martin and Max Guérout. Thanks finally to our team: Hervé Blanchet, Thierry Darnis, Philippe Constantin, Jesus Guevara and André Lorin.