San Jose treasure, Aegean shipwrecks reveal maritime mysteries

Uncovering the $17 billion treasure-laden San Jose galleon alongside 10 ancient Aegean shipwrecks through Homer’s ‘The Iliad,’ illuminates rich maritime histories spanning from 3000 B.C. to the 18th century

The world of underwater archaeology is witnessing unprecedented discoveries with the surfacing of treasures from the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk over 300 years ago, and the uncovering of ancient shipwrecks using Greek poetry.

These findings are redefining the understanding of the past, merging rich historical tales with cutting-edge technology.

The Spanish galleon in San Jose, laden with $17 billion in gold, silver, and emeralds, sank in 1708 during a skirmish with the British, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The ship’s discovery in 2015 off Colombia’s coast marked the end of a long mystery.

Ihlena Caicedo from the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History emphasizes the mission’s focus: “We aren’t thinking about treasure. We’re considering how to access the historical and archeological information at the site.”

The Colombian government, under President Gustavo Petro, plans to raise the galleon before 2026. Alex Hildred, who worked on the Mary Rose recovery, points out the complexity of this task, considering the underwater conditions and the ship’s fire-damaged state.

In a separate yet equally fascinating discovery, Harry Fletcher highlights how a team, using Homer’s ‘The Iliad, ‘ unearthed ten shipwrecks near Kasos.

This ancient Greek poem, telling the story of the Trojan War, was a guide to finding these wrecks, dating from World War II to 3000 B.C.

Although San Jose’s treasures are mired in legal disputes among Spain, Colombia, Bolivia and a U.S. search company, they promise to offer invaluable insights into the era’s maritime history.

Meanwhile, the Greek shipwrecks, bridging a vast historical timeline, shed light on ancient trade routes and cultural exchanges.

Source: Newsroom