“the“The results of this excavation have revealed an unprecedented body of archaeological evidence, which has greatly expanded our knowledge,” the institutions responsible for exploring the wreck, whose exact location has remained a secret since its discovery in 2015, highlighted in a statement.
In February, the Colombian government announced the start of extracting parts of the sunken sailing ship at a depth of 950 meters, the bottom of which was filled with gold and precious stones.
This first exploration using the robot was conducted between May 23 and June 1, according to the press release.
The Navy, Defense, Culture and other institutions explored an area equivalent to about 40 football fields.
The authorities explained that “although a concentration of archaeological remains was discovered in the wreck area in 2022, recent explorations have made it possible to describe these accumulations in more detail and discover new isolated elements.”
Among these new remains is an anchor, as well as some of the ship's cargo such as jars and glass bottles.
The Colombian Navy carried out four monitoring campaigns in 2022 with high-tech equipment to verify the condition of the wreck.
The photographs in question showed, in particular, cast iron cannons, pieces of porcelain and ceramics, and objects apparently made of gold.
“We believe it is possible to find new remains that will deepen the information we have so far,” Alhena Caicedo, director of the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, said in the statement.
The mission is estimated to cost about $4.5 million.
The San José, one of the largest of the Spanish fleet, sank in the Caribbean in June 1708, after an ambush by an English squadron.
The government believes this first exploration “raises questions about the exact causes of the sinking.”
According to him, British documents indicate that the ship suffered an “internal explosion”, which led to its sinking along with the treasure and hundreds of passengers. Spanish documents, in turn, speak of a battle.
Read also: Champagne on a sunken ship? Sweden wants 'clear and strong protection'
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