Public access to underwater and maritime cultural heritage has proven to have a very positive effect on the local economy. This type of heritage is very attractive for the cultural tourism sector in general and for active and diving tourism. The Nautical and Underwater Archeology Line of the University of Cadiz, within the framework of the TIDE Project (Interreg Atlantic Area) and Herakles Project (FEDER-UCA18-107327) have been working on the enhancement of maritime and underwater heritage through the application of new technologies. In this paper, we will present the advances in the project in the Strait of Gibraltar, based on the first phase of scientific analysis and on the definition of a common working methodology that has resulted in a toolkit for the development of tourism activities linked to the MCH and UCH. Pilot activities under development are focused on accessible underwater heritage routes, VR applications to create Dry Dive experiences and the streaming of underwater archaeological works, thanks to a bottom-surface acoustic communication buoy. Results show that these types of outreach solutions and, by extension, of tourism application, must be preceded by a rigorous archaeological research process, a study of the target audience and the evaluation of the carrying capacity of the sites, to avoid falling into the mercantilisation or deterioration of the UCH. On the other hand, virtual or indirect access solutions are very useful, but always through the correct interpretation of the heritage.

Over the last few years, due to various climatic, anthropogenic, and environmental factors, a large amount of submerged heritage has been unearthed and exposed to deterioration processes in the Bay of Algeciras. These impacts can be more severe in shallow waters, where the cultural heritage is more vulnerable to natural and human-induced impacts. This makes it urgent to document cultural heritage at risk of disappearing using different techniques whose efficiencies in the archaeological record need to be determined and compared. For this purpose, we have documented a shipwreck in the Bay of Algeciras using two techniques: photogrammetry and a multibeam echosounder. The photogrammetric method consists of obtaining a 3D model from numerous photographs taken of an object or a site. The processing software creates three-dimensional points from two-dimensional points found in the photographs that are equivalent to each other. Multibeam echosounders are capable of providing side scan imagery information in addition to generating contour maps and 3D perspectives of the surveyed area and can be installed in an unmanned surface vehicle. As a result, we have obtained two 3D visualisations of the shipwreck, i.e., digital copies, that are being used both for the analysis of its naval architecture and for its dissemination. Through the comparison of the two techniques, we have concluded that while a multibeam echosounder provides a detailed digital terrain model of the seabed, photogrammetry performed by divers gives the highest resolution data on objects and structures. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the benefits of this combined approach for accurately documenting and monitoring shipwrecks in shallow waters, providing valuable information for conservation and management efforts.

En esta contribución presentamos nuestra visión sobre el debate planteado en base a la experiencia desarrollada desde la Universidad de Cádiz en proyectos de investigación y de transferencia que han analizado el fenómeno de la visita a sitios arqueológicos subacuáticos y que también han propuesto soluciones de diversa índole experimentando con herramientas tradicionales y virtuales.

In Modern European navies, subtle forces comprised a variety of minor vessels, and gunboats were among the most used. These boats participated in several naval actions, attacking or defending coastal fortifications, as well as engaging in battles with larger ships. These wooden sailing and/or oared vessels, usually equipped with one main gun at the bow, plus other lighter pieces at the stern and sides, were employed both in Europe and the Americas. Given their technical and operational advantages, they occupied a prominent place in the latter context during the independence movements of colonies. Between ca. 1770 and 1825, maritime powers developed specific designs for the hull’s shape and dimensions, propulsion system, equipment, and artillery, which were related to their shipbuilding traditions and the natural conditions of each geographical setting. In this article, the characteristics of the Hispanic tradition gunboats and their role in the Mediterranean and South American context of the period are explored from a historical perspective. On this basis, we discuss the potential of the archaeological study of this type of vessel to understand the transfer of knowledge and techniques for its construction (or adaptation) and use in different scenarios.