Researchers Discover 3,300 Artifacts from 18th-century Portuguese Shipwreck That Left India 300 Years Ago

Archaeologists believe they have discovered the site of one of the most infamous raids in history. The site is supposedly a shipwreck that has been detected on the floor of a small harbor on the island of Nosy Boraha off the northeast coast of Madagascar, as reported by Live Science. After 16 years of investigation, archaeologists from the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation asserted that the shipwreck was the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, a Portuguese ship, supposedly looted by the infamous Olivier "The Buzzard" Levasseur and several other pirates in 1721. Center's co-founder and director, Brandon Clifford, claims they have several lines of evidence to prove this assertion. 

Analysis of the Shipwreck

The team of experts conducted a thorough examination of the ship using several methods. These methods include analysis of the underwater remains, contrasting with historical records, and investigating the artifacts found on board. All of which indicated that the shipwreck was the unfortunate 18th-century Portuguese ship. Researchers discovered several devotional artifacts, such as a model of the Virgin Mary, a fragment of a crucifix, and an ivory plaque featuring the religious inscription "INRI," which is associated with "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Further investigation indicated that they were made in Goa, a Portuguese colony in India, the same place from which Nossa Senhora do Cabo (Portuguese for 'Our Lady of the Cape') set off for Lisbon in Portugal.

Nossa Senhora do Cabo (Our Lady of the Cape)

Nossa Senhora do Cabo was a Portuguese ship that was supposed to transport cargo from India. Several artifacts were found in the submerged shipwreck that experts believe were part of the supposed cargo. These artifacts include devotional models carved out of ivory and wood. Researchers believe that the ship sailed off from India with a massive amount of gold, silver, and precious gems, according to Archaeology Magazine. Along with valuable objects, the ship was also transporting the outgoing Portuguese Viceroy and the Archbishop of Goa. 

The vessel was captured on April 8, 1721, near the French island of La Réunion by a group of pirate ships. Mark Agostini, an archaeologist at Brown University, along with Clifford, believes that the capture must have been quite easy for the pirates, as the ship had possibly been damaged from the ongoing storm. All the cannons had been jettisoned to maintain balance, leaving nothing for the sailors to fight pirates with, leading to an easy takeover. Historical records show that the Viceroy was eventually returned to his family in exchange for a ransom, but what happened to the Archbishop and 200 slaves on the ship remains a mystery. 

Treasures Aboard the Ship

Agostini and Clifford called the cargo "an eyewatering treasure, even by pirate standards." According to the duo, the treasure in the cargo could cost around $138 million by today's standards. Agostini shared that 3,300 artifacts have been recovered from the shipwreck, with more still to come. The ship was brought to Madagascar in a place known then as 'Île Sainte-Marie' by the pirates after the capture, to divide the loot. The area was a stronghold of pirates during what was known as the 'Golden Age of Piracy.' Clifford claimed that during this time, seven to ten ships were stowed away by pirates near or at that area. Four ships from that period are still hidden in the area.