Wednesday, 24th September 2008 (278 views)

The second phase of an attempt to salvage a 16th century ship with a cargo of gold treasure that sank off the coast of Namibia should be completed next month, it has been reported.

Thousands of rare gold coins are thought to be contained within the wreck and although the vessel was of Portuguese origin, Namibia has taken ownership, according to New Era.

Dr Dieter Noli, who has excavated hundreds of sites, is quoted as saying the find "is the largest hoard of gold found on an archaeological dig in Africa outside of the Valley of Kings in Egypt".

Local and international journalists were taken to the beach where the shipwreck was uncovered this week in order to view the historic find.

They were shown two gold coins from the ship's haul - over 2,000 of these have now been transported to Windhoek for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that archaeologists have two weeks left to explore the site before the sea surrounds it once more.

 

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