Maritime Archaeology and Shipwrecks off Goa

Among the ports and harbours of the west coast of India, Goa occupies a strategic position whilst relatively good harbours have made it a centre of maritime trade for much of its history. Goa was one of the most important entrepots on the west coast of India. Maritime interaction of Goa with the rest of the India as well other parts of the world is well documented from the early centuries of the Christian era. Over the centuries, ports of Goa declined owing to siltation, foreign attack, then new ports were established and maritime trade continued. The location of Goa suited the Portuguese from every angle so they fought against Adil Shah and conquered and ruled Goa up to 1961. During these periods several ships have been wrecked in Goa waters either due to naval warfare, unskilled navigation or other reasons.

In order to reconstruct the maritime history of Goa both onshore and offshore explorations have been carried out and the present work is the outcome of the exploration. Moreover, it was for this reason that the first shipwreck exploration in Indian waters was carried out in Goa waters. In course of underwater exploration, shipwrecks have been found off Sunchi Reef, St Georges’ Reef and Amee Shoals, Sail Rock and Grande Island. The Sunchi Reef shipwreck is the oldest wreck so far surveyed in Indian waters and the first Portuguese wreck until now investigated. Coastal Geomorphology and Seabed topography of Goa has been recorded while undertaking shipwreck studies. In addition to shipwrecks, stone anchors have been documented in Goa waters and Chandor, Gopakapatana and Old Goa, the port sites of Goa have been explored. In separate chapters, a comprehensive report of analysis of elephant tusks and hippopotamus teeth recovered from Sunchi Reef shipwreck and the anatomical analysis of wooden stocks of iron anchors retrieved from Aguada bay have been included.

The book gives a comprehensive account of the rich maritime heritage of Goa and illustrated with both inland and underwater photographs, drawings and tables, and undoubtedly it will fascinate, enhance the knowledge of scholars and researchers and provide them with an insight into the maritime heritage of Goa.