The bronze black rhinoceros from Port Vendres III

Abstract

Like the wreck Port Vendres II the new wreck of Port Vendres III was broken in many pieces and neither the form of the ship nor the position of its cargo could be observed. The two shipwrecks were certainly caused by the same forces: a ship blown by a very strong wind (Tramontane) from the nearby mountains sought shelter in the natural harbour of Port Vendres. Once inside the harbour it would be unable to change direction and, driven on to the rocks at a place called Redoute Bear, broke up.At present the Port Vendres III level forms a layer which averages about 10 cm in thickness and covers an area of 25 sq. m with a maximum thickness of 40 cm. This layer is not continuous and is found at depths varying between 5 and 7 m, and at a distance from 5 to 25 m from the coast. Covered by a carpet of Posidonia and sea shells of varying thickness, this site is separated in general from the Port Vendres II site by the same plants, but in places only the type of potsherd allowed us to distinguish one layer from the other as they are in direct contact (FIG. I)