Beneath the waves: Portugal's hidden treasure troves revealed
Off the coast of Portugal, on the Atlantic seabed, there lie approximately 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 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 Institute of History, Territories, and Communities at this university, 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Researchers conducted a detailed analysis of historical documents, including memoirs and accounts from witnesses of maritime disasters that occurred off the continental coast of Portugal and the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. Machado explained that the research was based on a database about 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. Off the coast of Madeira, 120 have been located.
Treasures from the past
The oldest ships included in the research are vessels that sank after 1500. Documents from the early 16th century were the oldest sources used to compile the list. Machado pointed out that one of the oldest wrecks is the Spanish ship Nuestra Senora del Rosario, built in 1589. During its last voyage, ending off the coast of Troia, 24 tonnes of gold and silver were on board.
The historian personally confirmed the locations of some wrecks during 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.
