Another treasure wreck

[Story]

Three photos here

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/05/01...k.ap/index.html

WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) -- Geologists searching for diamonds have stumbled upon a shipwreck loaded with gold and silver coins, ivory and cannons to fend off pirates.

An archaelogist told The Associated Press on Thursday that the ship dates back some 500 years -- around the time Vasco de Gama and Columbus were plying the waters of the New World.

The Namdeb Diamond Corp. had reported Wednesday that geologists discovered the shipwreck on April 1 during a search for diamonds off Namibia's southwest coast.

Astrolabes and other period navigational tools were discovered.

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Spanish gold coins, Portuguese silver coins minted in the late 1400s or early 1500s were found, as well as dividers used for measuring distance on a map during navigation.

The reverse of the some of the gold coins depicts Ferdinand and Isabella, two Spanish monarchs of the time

[Coastie04]

I just heard about this on the radio. Apparently there was also some remains of the ship itself. Beyond the 'treasure', I wonder what artifacts are going to be revealed! Hopefully the diamond mining company doesn't just grab the gold and go.

Coastie