The Colombian government has begun exploring the sunken 18th-century Spanish galleon, dubbed the “Holy Grail of shipwrecks,” the BBC reported on May 26.
Colombia has designated the San José Galleon, which was sunk by the British Royal Navy in 1708 in the Caribbean, as a protected archaeological site.
The ship, whose ownership remains in dispute, was carrying one of the largest shipments of valuables ever lost at sea when it was attacked near the Colombian city of Cartagena.
It is estimated that it houses a treasure of 20,000 million dollars.
The ship was carrying its cargo to the Spanish king to help pay for his war against the British. Almost 600 crew members went down with it.
The first phase of the project will use remote sensing to image the site and inventory archaeological material on the seabed.
Underwater robots will take readings around the wreck that will be used for scientific research, the Columbia Institute of Anthropology and History said.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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