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Thursday, 8th May 2008 (2569 views)

Archaeologists and investigators are to start work on unravelling the "riddle" of an ancient ship found laden with Spanish and Portuguese gold off the coast of Namibia, according to reports.

The wreck, which experts believe could date back to the 15th century, was discovered off the coast of the southern African state in April. Its cargo included "thousands" of gold coins, as well as Spanish cannons and around 50 elephant tusks.

Now, according to newspaper the Namibian, scientists are preparing for a "painstaking" operation to analyze the find.

Archaeologist Dieter Noli, who was among the first to examine the wreck, said it could "take months" before the "real significance" of the discovery is fully understood.

He added that each item from the ship - including each individual coin - will have to be collected, photographed, cleaned and stored.

The structure of the ship itself, however, has been "badly battered" by the sea and little remains in tact, Mr Noli told the publication.

 

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