Treasure trove: 250 shipwrecks off Portugal reveal secrets
Off the coast of Portugal, on the Atlantic seabed, lie around 250 shipwrecks that once carried valuable treasures. Research conducted by the New University of Lisbon sheds new light on these historical finds.
Scientists from the New University of Lisbon have discovered that around 250 shipwrecks off the coast of Portugal were transporting valuable items at the time of their sinking. Alexandre Machado, a staff member of the university's Institute of History, Territories, and Communities, informed Portuguese media about the approximate locations of these sunken ships.
Researchers conducted a detailed analysis of historical documents, including memoirs and accounts from witnesses of maritime disasters that occurred off the mainland coast of Portugal and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. Machado explained that the research was based on a database about the shipwrecks on the Atlantic seabed. This list includes 8,620 ships.
About 7,500 of these wrecks are located off the continental coast of Portugal. Around 1,000 are in the Azores region, and off the coast of Madeira, 120 have been located.
Treasures from the past
The research includes only vessels that sank after 1500. The oldest sources used to compile the list were documents from the early 16th century. Machado pointed out that one of the oldest wrecks is the Spanish ship Nuestra Señora del Rosario, built in 1589. During its last voyage, which ended off the coast of Troia, 24 tons of gold and silver were on board.
The historian personally confirmed the locations of some wrecks through diving. However, finding valuable items is hindered by sand, which has covered these treasures on the ocean floor for centuries. Machado noted that despite the difficulties, this research is crucial for understanding Portugal's maritime history.
