Moroccan Maritime Archeologists Discover Two Historic 19th-Century Shipwrecks Near El Jadida

Morocco’s National Center for Studies and Research on Underwater Heritage announced yesterday the discovery of two historic shipwrecks near El Jadida.

Rabat – Morocco’s National Center for Studies and Research on Underwater Heritage announced yesterday the discovery of two historic shipwrecks near El Jadida.

The research center, affiliated with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication is responsible for multiple discoveries similar to this, part of an ambitious effort to explore Morocco’s underwater heritage.

The two metal vessel wrecks were found in different areas, one near El Jadida´s beach and the other close to the port entrance.

Initial analysis suggests the ships date back to the late 19th century when El Jadida’s port played a strategic role in Morocco’s trade.

Historical records describe several similar shipwrecks at El Jadida’s port entrance during that era.

Among the notable ships sunk to the bottom of the ocean are the L’Alcyne, Le Papin, Le Maroc, La Marne, and l’Amazone.

The lack of breakwaters and harsh weather made the port’s approach treacherous, often ending in disaster.

This discovery brings to light an important chapter of Moroccan maritime history while opening doors for further research and preservation efforts

Morocco’s maritime past echoes a more ancient land discovery—a mosasaur species named Carinodens, unearthed recently this month by researchers in the phosphate mines of Sidi Chennane in Kouribga province.

With teeth adapted to crush hard-shelled prey, this marine reptile thrived 67 million years ago, just before the dinosaurs’ extinction.

Morocco is a treasure trove of archaeological discoveries where researchers have unearthed a range of remarkable finds, from ancient Roman cities like Volubilis to fossils of iconic dinosaurs such as Spinosaurus in its phosphate mines.

In Jebel Irhoud near Safi, they discovered in 1961 Homo sapiens fossils dating back over 300,000 years, redefining our understanding of human origins.

Together, these findings shed light on Morocco’s rich history, from its perilous seas to its prehistoric depths, and inspire new efforts to explore and preserve this heritage.