Early Modern Age Ships and Ship Finds in Lisbon's Riverfront: Research Perspectives

Since the 1990s, more or less structured remains of ships have frequently been unearthed in the riverine area of Lisbon, in the scope of urban requalification works. The first remains were identified during the Metro enlargement at Corpo Santo and in the tunnel of Cais do Sodre station. The most recent cases were recorded during the construction of EDP-Electricidade de Portugal's new corporate headquarters; these ships were named Boa Vista 1 and Boa Vista 2. Besides the vessels, a number of ships' timbers were also found. These timbers had been recycled in the construction of nautical structures or in waterfront revetments of the Tagus River and its tributaries, as in the cases of Praca D. Luis I, Av. D. Carlos I and Boqueirao do Duro. This paper will present an overview of these discoveries, focusing on several issues that need to be investigated, including the origin of the archaeological contexts (shipwreck, abandonment and recycling), their chronology and the relationship with the construction and operation of the Port of Lisbon during the Early Modern period. Some aspects related to shipbuilding will also be addressed.