Memories of Sancti Petri on the bird of submarine archaeology

Abstract

With this well-deserved tribute to Mr. Antonio Sáez Espligares. I am seeking to show the value of people and to convey unknown memories of the first steps in underwater archaeology in Cádiz, particularly in Sancti Petri. I would not want them to be forgotten because of their great value and the key role they played in the development of new branch of archaeology. Research that began in the early 1970s in to create a Submarine Archaeological Map of Cádiz was brought to a sudden end in the mi-1980s by a decision of the competent authorities at a time when it was producing its first fruits. The scientific accomplishments that had been achieved with great personal effort put in to overcome environmental, economic and technical difficulties were shrouded in complete silence. And at the present time, well into the 21st century, they remain totally forgotten. Those systematic surveys and excavations pioneer are being ignored, notably in subsequent literature, which shamelessly quote the very few underwater projects conducted in the region for the purpose of drawing a so-called General Research Project in Cádiz Bay-Sub-aquatic archaeological Map.