The discovery in Orio by archaeologists from the INSUB of two pinnaces and a somewhat larger vessel, possibly a zabra, from the sixteenth century, gives us a chance to learn more about these boat types. The results of these discoveries, backed by information from documentary sources, will give us a very accurate idea of the principal features of the pinnaces of this period. At the same time, the possibility of making a comparative study of the fifteenth-century Urbieta wreck and the sixteenth-century wreck will help us understand the important technological changes introduced, especially in our maritime culture. Remains of the keel from one of the vessels. © José Lopez

This vessel from the Jouve Atlas, dating from the second half of the seventeenth century and described as a barque, is similar in characteristics to the freight-carrying pinnace of previous decades. During this transition period, on the Atlantic coast, the term "pinaza" began to be replaced by “lancha”. Subtle changes began to be introduced; the vessels became lighter and more stylised. Improvements in port facilities during this period may have facilitated the structural refinement of the vessels, by reducing the frequency with which they had to go ashore on the coast to load and unload. These boats continued to be used on the Aquitaine coast and the term "pinasse" is still employed in the Bay of Arcachon to describe a local type of vessel. © José Lopez

Scene from the port of Gernika in the second half of the fifteenth century. Many of what we now consider to be inland towns were once sea ports, thanks to vessels such as the pinnace, which could reach them at high tide. In Gipuzkoa in this period similar scenes might be seen in towns such as Errenteria, Hernani, Usurbil and others. © José Lopez