WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) -- Geologists searching for diamonds have stumbled upon a shipwreck loaded with gold and silver coins, ivory and cannons to fend off pirates.


An archaeologist displays shipwreck loot: a Spanish gold coin, three Portuguese silver coins and brass dividers.

1 of 3 An archaelogist told The Associated Press on Thursday that the ship dates back some 500 years -- around the time Vasco de Gama and Columbus were plying the waters of the New World.

The Namdeb Diamond Corp. had reported Wednesday that geologists discovered the shipwreck on April 1 during a search for diamonds off Namibia's southwest coast.

Astrolabes and other period navigational tools were discovered.

An astrolabe was the forerunner of the sextant and was used to measure the maximum angle between the sun and the horizon, thus enabling the seafarers to establish how far north or south they were.

Spanish gold coins, Portuguese silver coins minted in the late 1400s or early 1500s were found, as well as dividers used for measuring distance on a map during navigation.

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