A possible shipwreck was discovered hundreds of years after Hurricane Nicole washed up on the shores of Daytona Beach in east-central Florida.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, Florida archaeologists believe the discovered remains are likely a 19th century merchant ship over 80 feet long.
“Imagine so many Amazon trucks you see on the roads today, this was the equivalent in the 19th century,” Christopher McCarron, managing director of archeology and sea captain for the St. Augustine maritime program, shared with Fox 35.
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Archaeologists are working to uncover what they believe to be a shipwreck off Daytona Beach Shores.
(Fox 35/Dave Puglisi)
The debris was discovered early last week by Volusia County officials after part of the beach was washed away by back-to-back hurricanes. Hurricane Ian and Nicole swept away numerous layers of sand from Daytona Beach, revealing a massive wooden object.
Mark Ard, director of external affairs for the Florida Department of State, said the department’s Division of Historic Resources and Office of Archaeological Research have been in contact with Daytona Beach Shores authorities about the discovery. State archaeologists are working with other archaeologists to document the site, he told FOX 35 Orlando in an email.
According to Ard, state archaeologists will “map” the site and document the context of the site and the context of the rubble. This includes the site record during the excavation, field notes, drawings and photographs.
Ard said that when the state learns of a potential discovery, it works to ensure that the area surrounding the discovery is protected.
(Fox 35/Dave Puglisi)
Objects washed up on a beach in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, after recent hurricanes hit the area.
(Fox 35/Dave Puglisi)
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Ard said that when the state learns of a potential discovery, it works to ensure the area around the discovery is protected, noting that unauthorized removal of artifacts from an archaeological site is a third-degree felony.
The debris at Daytona Beach Shores is just one of the few discoveries that have been made in Florida after Hurricane Nicole.
The human remains were unearthed by Hurricane Nicole on Hutchinson Island. Authorities said they believe the remains could have come from a Native American burial mound.
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A photographer spotted a trunk from the 1930s washed ashore near St. Augustine after the violent storm. Authorities said they found nothing of value in the trunk.
Julia Musto of Fox News contributed to this report.
