Underwater Archaeology: The Millenary Secrets of the Sea of Teulada

Beneath the turquoise surface of Porto Zafferano and the surrounding coves of Capo Teulada lies a silent museum. For millennia, these waters served as the crossroads of the Mediterranean’s most vital trade routes, linking Carthage to Rome and the mines of Sulcis to the ports of the East.

The morphology of the coast, with its natural shelters and treacherous shallows, made this area a safe haven for ships caught in storms, but also a fatal trap for many merchant vessels of antiquity.

Underwater Heritage at a Glance

Essential data on the underwater archaeological wealth of the Sardinian south-western quadrant.

Prevalent Eras

Phoenician-Punic, Roman (Republican and Imperial), Early Medieval.

Common Finds

Wine and oil amphorae, lead anchor stocks, remains of wooden hulls.

Key Sites

Port of Malfatano and the inlets of the Delta Firing Range.

Conservation Status

Excellent, due to low anthropic pressure and military protection.

Legislation

Strict protection by the Superintendency. Removal is strictly prohibited.

Ancient Routes: Phoenicians and Romans

The stretch of coast from Capo Teulada to Capo Spartivento was a mandatory passage. The Phoenicians, master navigators, used the inlets of Porto Zafferano as technical stops to replenish fresh water and seek shelter from the Mistral wind.

With the rise of the Romans, traffic grew exponentially. Ships laden with lead and zinc ingots from the Iglesiente mines sailed these waters bound for Ostia. Many of the shipwrecks identified in the area carried the famous Dressel 1 amphorae, used to transport prized Campanian wine to Roman garrisons in Sardinia.

Treasures Visible from the Surface

On certain days of calm seas and zenithal light, the transparency of Teulada’s waters allows glimpses of the past even without professional diving equipment. Roman lead anchor stocks and fragments of ancient pottery blend among the rocks and Posidonia meadows.

However, most treasures remain protected by layers of sand that have acted as a conservative cocoon for centuries, shielding the shipwrecks’ timber and the amphorae’s contents from oxygen.

Ethics and Protection: Do Not Take Away the Past

It is vital to remember that submerged archaeological heritage is State property and a common good for all humanity.

1. No Removal Policy: It is strictly forbidden to collect even a single fragment of pottery. Every object removed from its context loses its scientific value forever.
2. Reporting: If you spot suspicious remains, the correct procedure is to take the GPS coordinates and report them to the Coast Guard or the Superintendency.
3. Respect: Navigating over known archaeological sites requires even more careful anchoring (preferably only on bare sand) to avoid damaging submerged structures with the anchor.

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Relive History with VerdeBlue Rent

Our tours are not mere boat rides, but experiential narratives. The skippers of VerdeBlue Rent are well-versed in the legends and historical facts surrounding Capo Teulada and the Port of Malfatano. During navigation, they will point out locations where time seems to have stood still, allowing you to imagine the Roman triremes that once cast anchor in the very same waters you find yourself in.

A journey into the blue, across the centuries.

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Last historical update: May 2026. Sardinia’s submerged history is a fragile treasure. Let’s protect it together.