[imagesource:x/@ibtimesuk]

We are lucky enough to live through one of the most thrilling archaeological discoveries in recent history, namely, the discovery of the elusive Bom Jesus Portuguese treasure ship that sank over five centuries ago.

While archaeological findings first commenced in 2008, the shipwreck is considered one of the oldest and most valuable discoveries of our time and, thus, efforts to search for more artefacts and preserve those that have been found are still underway in 2024.

As we experience similar storms this winter that prompted the first Portuguese visitors to refer to the Black South-Easter wind phenomenon as ‘O Monstro’ (The Monster), it is high time to reflect on one of the most impactful archaeological discoveries ever made.

The Bom Jesus, translated to the ‘Good Jesus’ in English, set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on Friday, March 7, 1533, laden with gold and copper ingots and its fate remained a mystery until 2008, when its remnants were unearthed during diamond mining operations near the Namibian coast.

The ship’s cargo included 2,000 pure gold coins and tens of thousands of pounds of copper ingots, almost all intact and sparkling beautifully in the Namibian sun. That’s a lot of dosh.

It is believed that the Bom Jesus was pulled too close to shore during a storm off the country’s coast, causing it to collide with a rock and capsize.

As the deep waters receded over hundreds of years, the ship previously lost beneath the deep reemerged in the desert, revealing its hidden wealth.

The condition of the Bom Jesus suggests that the storm was especially violent – perhaps even similar to last week’s weather. The absence of significant human remains, aside from a few scattered bone fragments, indicates that most of the crew likely perished at sea.

Dr Dieter Noli, the chief archaeologist of the Southern Africa Institute of Maritime Archaeological Research, noted that, like the Cape, the Namibian coastline was notorious for storms. When the team first set foot at the scene, they could not predict just how fruitful the excavation of the shipwreck would be.

“It adds new meaning to the concept of the ship having being loaded with gold,” Dr. Noli told reporters.

Ka-ching!

Further investigations uncovered bronze bowls, long metal poles later identified as cannons, muskets estimated to be at least 500 years old, compasses, swords, astronomical tools, and even a time capsule. Silver coins were also found, adding to the ship’s rich trove of historical artefacts.

While little is known about the specific history of the Bom Jesus, it is speculated that the ship was part of a class of naval vessels designed for longer-distance expeditions undertaken by Portuguese fleets during this period.

Based on the ship’s contents, Dr Noli and other scholars believe the Bom Jesus was en route to Western India from Lisbon, navigating the treacherous route around the southern tip of Africa – a common path for Portuguese vessels carrying valuable cargo during that era.

The Bom Jesus now holds the distinction of being the oldest known and most valuable shipwreck discovered off the western coast of Sub-Saharan Africa. The area remains under joint operation by diamond company DeBeers and the Namibian government and is largely off-limits to the public. The remnants of the shipwreck are protected by mining security, with access to the site highly restricted.

While there has been talk of establishing a museum to showcase the ship’s artefacts, it remains to be seen whether this idea will come to fruition.

We do hope that this real-life Treasure Island-esque story is given the platform it deserves.

You never know what could be hidden in the sand beneath your feet.

[source:greekreporter]