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Discoveries Made After 16 Years: Treasure Ship Yields $138 Million Worth of Valuables

Portuguese maritime relic hunters assert the discovery of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, a vessel submerged in 1721 under the waves off Madagascar's shore, boasting a fortune exceeding $138 million in treasure.

Treasure worth $138 million discovered on a ship after a 16-year long search by explorers
Treasure worth $138 million discovered on a ship after a 16-year long search by explorers

Discoveries Made After 16 Years: Treasure Ship Yields $138 Million Worth of Valuables

Researchers have identified the wreck of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, a Portuguese ship sunk in 1721 off Madagascar’s northeastern coast after being captured by pirates. The ship was carrying treasure from India, including gold, silver, precious gems, important religious figures, and hundreds of enslaved Africans.

The ship, which was already battered by a storm, was overpowered by pirates led by Olivier "The Buzzard" Levasseur near Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. After taking control, the pirates sailed the ship approximately 400 miles west to Ile Sainte-Marie (now Nosy Boraha) and scuttled it.

The site has been under investigation by the American Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation for 16 years, during which over 3,300 artifacts have been recovered. These include devotional objects made of wood and ivory, such as a crucifix component and a gold-lettered ivory plaque inscribed "INRI."

Nosy Boraha was historically known as a pirate haven, making the location of the wreck particularly significant. Denis Piat, in his 2014 book Pirates & Privateers in Mauritius, highlights that the island was home to many pirate crews who used the surrounding waters to patrol shipping lanes.

The treasure is estimated to be worth about $138 million. The evidence collected from the site aligns with historical records of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo and provides strong support for the identification of the wreck. The discoveries were recently detailed in the magazine Wreckwatch.

Despite the identification and valuable artifact finds, many questions remain about the full extent of the ship’s cargo and the fate of those on board. The wreck's archaeologists believe there may be as many as 10 shipwrecks around the island, with some of them possibly located in the same harbor where the Nossa Senhora do Cabo was sunk.

The find could potentially lead to further discoveries and in-depth studies of the wrecks in the area. ZME Science adds that this major maritime archaeological discovery adds historical significance to the tumultuous world of pirate activity in the 17th and 18th centuries.

[1] Clifford, B., & Agostini, M. (2021). The Wreck of Nossa Senhora do Cabo: A 1721 Portuguese Shipwreck Discovered Off Madagascar's Northeastern Coast. Wreckwatch. [2] Live Science. (2021). Ancient Portuguese Shipwreck Carrying Treasure Found Off Madagascar. [online] Available at: https://www.livescience.com/portuguese-shipwreck-treasure-madagascar.html [3] ZME Science. (2021). Ancient Portuguese Shipwreck Laden with Treasure Discovered Off Madagascar. [online] Available at: https://www.zmescience.com/archaeology/portuguese-shipwreck-madagascar-treasure-11072021/ [4] The Guardian. (2021). Ancient Portuguese Shipwreck Laden with Treasure Discovered Off Madagascar. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/10/ancient-portuguese-shipwreck-laden-with-treasure-discovered-off-madagascar

The wreck of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, discovered off Madagascar's northeastern coast, offers a glimpse into the past life of pirate havens like Nosy Boraha, providing a significant addition to the understanding of the tumultuous world of pirate activity in the 17th and 18th centuries (ZME Science). Archaeologists believe there may be more shipwrecks around the island, potentially leading to further discoveries and in-depth studies (Live Science). These findings, such as devotional objects and a gold-lettered ivory plaque, offer entertainment and historical insight into the lives of those on board (Wreckwatch, The Guardian).

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