Patrimonio cultural subacuático en Algeciras: participación social, preservación in situ y herramientas de difusión virtual

Abstract

In 2015, a Nautical and Underwater Archaeology Line of investigation was created at the University of Cadiz. It is the first time that a space for training, research, conservation and dissemination focused on the UCH has been created in a Spanish university. At present, most of the projects are concentrated in Algeciras and in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar, due to its great historical, heritage and environmental interest. The projects seek to generate a real impact on the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the area through the valorisation of the underwater heritage and the support to the creation of related tourist products. One of these projects is the TIDE Project (Interreg Atlantic Area), which aims to enhance the value of heritage through the application of new technologies. We will now present the progress of the project in the Strait of Gibraltar, based on the first phase of scientific analysis and the definition of a common working methodology that has given rise to a set of tools for the development of tourist activities linked to maritime and underwater cultural heritage. The pilot activities that are being developed focus on virtual reality and augmented reality applications for the creation of immersive experiences and the retransmission of underwater archaeological works thanks to a communication buoy.