Archaeology & History

500-year-old shipwreck found in the desert

By T.K. Randall
June 8, 2016 ·  11 comments

The ship went down in stormy seas. Image Credit: Matthieu van Plattenberg In what has been described as one of the most significant shipwreck discoveries in recent memory, archaeologists have uncovered $13,000,000 worth of gold coins within the wreck of a Portuguese vessel known as 'The Bom Jesus' which went missing 500 years ago while on its way to India.

The ship was also laden with other valuables such as tin, copper and ivory tusks.

"The treasure chest fell free from the captain's cabin, sinking intact to the seabed, where it was subsequently crushed, pinned down and protected by a massive piece of the side of the ship which broke free from the disintegrating hull," said archaeologist Dr. Dieter Noli.

500 year-old shipwreck loaded with gold found in Namibian desert https://t.co/MPCurO1BqF via @fxnscitech pic.twitter.com/wI7ONf4T6c

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The level of preservation seen in the wreckage was also particularly impressive.

"Marine organisms may like wood, leather book covers, peach pips, jute sacking and leather shoes, but copper really puts them off their food – so a lot of stuff survived the 500 years on the bottom of the sea which should really not have done so," said Dr. Noli.

"All this adds up to an extremely unusual situation, which led to truly excellent preservation of an in any event unique site."

Source: Fox News | Comments (11)

Tags: Shipwreck, Africa