Diamond miners off the coast of Africa stumbled upon a remarkable piece of history when they discovered a 500-year-old shipwreck brimming with £9 million worth of gold and coins buried in the Namibian desert.
The vessel, named the Bom Jesus, or Good Jesus, embarked from Lisbon in 1533 under the command of Sir Francisco de Noronha, destined for India. However, it vanished without a trace, along with its crew, leaving behind a mystery that endured for centuries.
The Bom Jesus – or Good Jesus – and its treasure trove contents were first discovered along the Namibian coast near Oranjemund by geologists from the mining company De Beers in April 2008 (Pictured: Some of the Spanish coins)
The Bom Jesus and its treasure trove remained concealed until April 2008, when geologists from the renowned mining company De Beers uncovered remnants of the ship along the Namibian coast near Oranjemund. This initial discovery marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey into the past.
A selection of items from the ship with a trowel below them for scale. The best preserved astrolabe is in the middle, a frying pan on the right, some pottery on left, a pewter plate above and a section of a pewter bowl
The miners stumbled upon the remnants of the Bom Jesus as they drained a man-made saltwater lake along the Skeleton Coast. While shipwrecks were not uncommon along this treacherous stretch of coastline, the Bom Jesus distinguished itself as the oldest wreck laden with an astonishing array of treasures, including gold, coins, and ivory tusks.
The initial uncovering revealed peculiar pieces of wood and metal strewn across the beach, hinting at a deeper historical narrative waiting to be unearthed. It wasn’t until the sixth day of exploration that the miners struck gold, quite literally, stumbling upon a treasure chest laden with riches.
Some rosary beads and a silver Portuguese coin that were found among the haul of the Bom Jesus
The discovery of the Bom Jesus is hailed as one of the most significant shipwreck finds of all time, prompting UNESCO to designate the site under the Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. The artifacts recovered from the wreckage offer a tantalizing glimpse into the maritime trade routes and cultural exchanges of the 16th century.
Among the treasures salvaged from the depths of time are German copper ingots, West African ivory, and a diverse array of Portuguese, Spanish, Florentine, and Venetian gold and silver currency. The cargo also included weaponry, clothing, skeletons, bronze bowls, and navigational instruments, such as astrolabes and musket compasses.
Dr. Dieter Noli, a prominent archaeologist involved in the excavation, revealed that under normal circumstances, the Namibian government would retain ownership of the discovered treasures. However, owing to the Bom Jesus’s status as a ship of state belonging to the King of Portugal, customary protocol would dictate that Portugal claim ownership. In a remarkable display of generosity, the Portuguese government waived its rights, allowing Namibia to retain possession of the entire haul.
The discovery of the Bom Jesus serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring allure of maritime exploration and the mysteries that lie beneath the ocean’s depths. As archaeologists continue to unravel the secrets of this ancient vessel, the story of the Good Jesus will undoubtedly captivate generations to come, offering a window into a bygone era of exploration and adventure.