Underwater excavation findings in Portitxol bay

Anchored in the past 
THE Soler Blasco museum recently revealed the results of underwater excavations in Portitxol bay. 
Findings confirmed that the ancient port contains some of the Valencian Community’s richest submerged remains, said Ximo Bolufer, Javea’s municipal archaeologist who was accompanied by fellow-archaeologists Jordi Blazquez and Alejandro Perez.  
Also present were Corporal Angel Montero and Warrant Officer Antonio Garcia from the Guardia Civil’s Special Subaquatic Activities Group (GEAS) who specialise in preventing plundering at underwater archaeological sites and took an active part in the survey. 
Diver Roberto Garcia who is familiar with this section of seabed contributed by locating remains and discouraging looters. 
The archaeologists described the Portitxol bay as “incredible and impressive” owing to the anchors and pottery they have located.   
Twenty of the 40 anchors found have been dated and were placed at between 2,000 and 500 years old, demonstrating the bay’s centuries-old importance as an anchorage and its inclusion on commercial routes.  
The archaeologists drew attention to two anchors dating from the Moorish occupation and another of Greek origin which have been removed to protect them from looters. 
Eventually it is hoped to convert this section of seabed into an underwater museum so that its archaeological wealth can be seen in context. 
To make the site accessible to non-divers, there would also be a virtual recreation of the finds in the museum itself. 
“When we recover our history and our past we are working for the future,” said Javea’s mayor Jose Chulvi as he thanked the Museum team and all the collaborators, particularly the GEAS and Guardia Civil. 
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