Six notable maritime treasures uncovered from historical shipwrecks
In the vast oceans that surround our world, the stories of ancient vessels and their hidden treasures continue to captivate our imagination. Here are some of the most intriguing shipwrecks discovered in recent years, offering glimpses into the lives of past civilizations and the vast trade networks that connected them.
The Nanhai No. 1, found off the coast of Yangjiang, China, in the South China Sea, is an intact 100-foot-long merchant vessel from the 1100s. Preserved by a six-foot-thick layer of silt, the ship has yielded over tens of thousands of objects, including 100 gold artifacts and thousands of coins, providing valuable insights into the lives of merchants from the Southern Song dynasty.
In the Wadden Sea off the Netherlands, the Palmwood Wreck was discovered, containing riches from around the world and shedding light on the lives of 17th-century elites. Divers brought up over 1,500 artifacts, including an elegant dress embroidered with silver love knots, an elaborate damask gown, a velvet tunic dyed with cochineal, a silver cup and tableware, luxury toiletry set, Persian carpet, and an international collection of 32 leather-bound books dating to the 16th- and 17th centuries.
The Belitung Shipwreck, discovered in Southeast Asian waters, is the first Arab dhow found in the region and is the richest and largest consignment of early ninth-century southern Chinese gold and ceramics ever discovered. The ceramics offer a snapshot of the Changsha ceramics industry and the Tang dynasty, as well as the Silk Road trade at large.
The Bom Jesus shipwreck, found off the coast of sub-Saharan Africa, is by far the oldest shipwreck ever discovered there and the richest. The ship, identified as a Portuguese trading vessel lost in 1533 while headed to India, contains coins bearing likenesses of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, as well as Venetian, Moorish, French, and other coinage.
However, not all shipwrecks have been successfully salvaged. The Spanish naval galleon San Jose sank in 1708 during a battle with British warships, and while its location was discovered in the 20th century by archaeologist Emery Baylies near the Oregon coast, the shipwreck remains unexcavated. The wreck is estimated to contain up to 200 tons of gold, silver, and uncut gemstones.
The shipwreck of Santo Cristo de Burgos, another Spanish galleon, is believed to have sunk off the coast of Oregon in 1693. A number of parties have argued their right to claim the wreck, including a U.S.-based salvage company, Colombia, Spain, and a group of indigenous Bolivians.
These shipwrecks serve as testaments to the rich history of trade and the connections between civilizations that have shaped our world. While the treasures they contain have captivated our imagination, it is the stories of the people who sailed these vessels and the lives they led that truly make these discoveries priceless.
