Ancient Pirate-looted Wreckage, laden with tantalizing riches, uncovered near Madagascar after 300 years
In the crystalline waters off the island of Nosy Boraha, a notorious pirate haven during the early 18th century, the submerged wreck of a pirate ship has been identified as the Portuguese vessel Nossa Senhora do Cabo. The ship, carrying valuable cargo from India to Lisbon, was captured by pirates in 1721, during the Golden Age of Piracy.
The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation, an American research group, conducted a meticulous 16-year investigation of the wreck. Their findings, published recently in Wreckwatch magazine, confirm the ship's identity based on structural analysis, historical documentation, and artifacts recovered from the site.
The remains of the ship revealed a range of significant artifacts that offer insights into the ship's final voyage. Among these discoveries are religious items crafted from wood and ivory, such as a figurine of the Virgin Mary, a partial crucifix, and an ivory plaque inscribed with the Latin acronym "INRI," historically linked to the crucifixion of Jesus. Other artifacts include Chinese porcelain, gold coins inscribed with Arabic writing, cowrie shells, and pieces of fine porcelain, reflecting the ship's role in the lucrative trade between India and Europe at the time.
The location of the wreck in the sheltered harbour near Nosy Boraha made it an ideal pirate base due to its isolation and lack of colonial control. This explains why pirates, including the infamous Olivier Levasseur ("The Buzzard"), used it as a base to plunder valuable ships like Nossa Senhora do Cabo.
The haul from the ship, including over 3,300 artifacts, is estimated to be worth over $138 million in today's money. The team's research sheds light on pirate activity and maritime trade networks during the Golden Age of Piracy, providing a valuable historical perspective.
Future fieldwork is hoped to lead to more analysis of the many wrecks in Ile Sainte-Marie, offering further insights into this fascinating period of history. The Nossa Senhora do Cabo shipwreck stands as a testament to the rich and complex maritime history of the region.
The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation, after a meticulous 16-year examination, published findings about the Nossa Senhora do Cabo shipwreck in a recent issue of Wreckwatch magazine. The analysis of the ship's remains revealed artifacts that reflect its connection to various sports, such as a WNBA-style basketball found among the Porcelain from NCAABasketball regions and even gold coins inscribed with Arabic writing, hinting at links to the sports-betting industry of that time. This historical perspective offers a unique blend of sports and pirate tales from the Golden Age of Piracy.
