New Treasures Found On The Legendary Shipwreck San José Near Colombia

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com -  The Spanish galleon San José, a vessel of significant historical and monetary value, was sunk by the British navy in 1708 near Cartagena, Colombia. The ship was carrying a substantial cargo of gold, silver, and emeralds, estimated to be worth approximately US$17 billion in today's currency. The battle that led to its sinking occurred off Barú Island, resulting in the loss of nearly all of its 600-member crew.

A photo of the shipwreck San José. Credit: Colombia Ministry Of Culture

In February of this year, the Colombian government announced its intention to begin extraction operations from the shipwreck site off its Caribbean coast. Recently, the government disclosed that new artifacts were discovered in San José following the first robotic exploration of the wreck, which has remained untouched for over three centuries.

The exploration was conducted using a remotely operated robot, which surveyed the wreck between May 23 and June 1. Despite the public announcement of these findings, the exact location of the shipwreck has been kept confidential since its initial discovery in 2015. This secrecy is likely maintained to protect the site from unauthorized salvage attempts and to preserve its historical integrity.

New artifacts have been found on the legendary Spanish galleon San Jose. Credit: Colombia Ministry Of Culture

"Results of this exploration have revealed an unprecedented set of archaeological evidence, which has greatly expanded our knowledge," the institutions in charge of exploring the wreck said in a statement.

"Although a concentration of archaeological remains was detected in 2022 in the area of the shipwreck, the recent exploration has allowed to characterize these accumulations in more detail and to discover new isolated elements," the statement said.

Recent exploration efforts have yielded significant findings from the shipwreck site. The discoveries include an anchor and various components of the ship's cargo, such as jugs and glass bottles.

Explosion of San José. Painting by Samuel Scott (1702-1772). Credit: Public Domain

In 2022, the Colombian Navy conducted four observation campaigns using advanced technology to assess the wreck's condition. The resulting imagery revealed a diverse array of artifacts, including cast iron cannons, porcelain items, pottery, and objects that appear to be made of gold. These findings provide valuable insights into the vessel's contents and historical context.

"We believe that it is possible to find new remains that would deepen the information we have so far," said Alhena Caicedo, director of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, quoted in the statement.

Who Has The Right To Claim The Wreck Of San José?

The Colombian government's recent exploration of the San José galleon has raised questions about its sinking circumstances. British documents suggest an internal explosion, while Spanish reports indicate a battle may have been responsible. The ship was returning to Spain from the New World, carrying valuable cargo including emeralds and approximately 200 tons of gold coins for King Philip V.

More finds from the San José shipwreck. Credit: Colombia Ministry Of Culture

Colombia's 2015 announcement of the San José's discovery fulfilled a long-sought goal for treasure hunters. The ship's ownership is disputed, with Spain claiming rights under a UN convention that Colombia hasn't ratified. Indigenous Qhara Qhara Bolivians also assert that the treasures were originally stolen from them.

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Despite these claims, Colombia's government, under President Petro's administration, plans to recover the wreck for scientific and cultural purposes. The project's estimated cost is around $4.5 million.

Further complicating matters, the US-based Sea Search Armada claims to have discovered the wreck over 40 years ago. The company has taken Colombia to the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration, seeking $10 billion in compensation.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer