[Archport] Namibia clams up over ‘delicate’ treasure ship talks

[Alexandre <no.arame@gmail.com>]

Namibia clams up over 'delicate' treasure ship talks

25 May 2008 Sunday Times of Johannesburg

by BOBBY JORDAN


The Namibian government has gagged senior mining and minerals
personnel, banning them from talking about a shipwreck discovered in a
restricted diamond mining zone.

Namibia and Portugal have held diplomatic talks over excavating the
16th century ship, believed to be Portuguese in origin, and considered
to be the most significant maritime archaeological find in Southern
Africa.

Portuguese Consul-General in South Africa, Dr Domingos Alvim, on
Friday confirmed toplevel contact with the Namibian government to
facilitate the speedy excavation of the shipwreck site in the
Sperrgebiet, south of Luderitz. The Portuguese are eager to assist in
the excavation to ensure the best possible recovery of historically
valuable items, he said.

Two of the artefacts are believed to be valuable navigational tools
called nautical astrolabes, of which there are only about 30 left in
the world.

The wreck, about 25m long, was unearthed two months ago by Namdeb, a
mining company jointly owned by De Beers and the Namibian government.
Namdeb spokesman Ndeshi Hangula-Shikwambi said: "Namdeb is no longer
allowed to do any communications. They (government) want to take
charge."

There has been no shortage of speculation, however, with some experts
saying the ship may have been part of a fleet commanded by Bartholomew
Diaz, the first European to discover the Cape of Good Hope.

Subsequent reports suggest some gold coins found on the wreck were
minted after 1525 and that the ship was more likely a Portuguese
trading vessel on its way back from a colonial outpost on Africa's
east coast.

George Shinyala, Namibian Mines and Energy spokesman, said: "The
government has sent a team of experts to look at the shipwreck — a
collaboration with our National Heritage Council. We are waiting for
(their) report . . . Currently we don't have anything to tell."

Meanwhile, researchers all over the world are eagerly awaiting news.
Senior curator at the world famous Maritime Museum in Lisbon, Bruno
Goncalves Neves, said the wreck was of enormous significance, hence
the delicate negotiations currently on the go. He said the museum
would be delighted to receive any relics from the ship.