[Archport] Mystery Namibian shipwreck is Portuguese and dates from 16th century

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

Mail & Guardian, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA Sep 16 2008 15:41

A mystery shipwreck laden with gold discovered by geologists off the
coast of Namibia in April is a 16th-century Portuguese vessel that was
bound for Asia, the country's Information Ministry announced on
Tuesday.

The ship's rich bounty includes 2 000 gold coins and 1,4kg in silver
coins, the ministry said in a statement.

Researchers also found navigational instruments among the remains of
the ship, which was discovered by geologists prospecting for diamonds.

The shipwreck is believed to be the oldest discovered to date off the
coasts of sub-Saharan Africa.

The vessel has been linked to Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who
was the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope on the tip of
Africa, in his efforts to establish a sea route from the Atlantic to
Asia in 1488. Diaz went missing in 1500.

Archaeologists and geologists from the United States, Portugal,
Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe had met in August and decided to
carry out the excavation over a number of weeks in September, the
statement said.

South Africa-based German archaeologist Dr Bruno Werz led the team.
Journalists will get a first peek at the ship on Monday.

The geologists made the find in April after clearing a stretch of
seabed at the site and draining it. Besides the treasure, they also
found cannons and elephant tusks on the seabed.