Discovery of Historic Shipwreck off Madagascar

Two American archaeologists assert that they have located a rest site for a Portuguese ship, which has been sitting off the coast of Madagascar since 1721, and is believed to hold $138 million in treasure.

The ship, named Nossa Senhora de Cabo, set sail from India carrying Viceroy Archbishop Gore, a group of 200 slaves, and a substantial amount of treasure, including items described as “The The The The The The The The The The Z.” Reports indicate that pirates seized the vessel after it embarked, sailing away with it for hundreds of miles.

Fast forward over 300 years, and archaeologists think they have identified this site on the ocean floor near Nosyborah Island.

Brandon Clifford and Mark Agostini, working at a historic shipwreck preservation center, claim to have uncovered more than 3,300 artifacts at the location. While their findings haven’t yet been corroborated by other researchers, Clifford believes there’s compelling evidence indicating it is indeed a shipwreck.

As for the treasure itself, Hunter suggests that it would amount to at least $138 million today, given its extraordinary nature—he states it would even impress seasoned pirates. Dennis Piatt, in his book from 2014 about pirates in Mauritius, notes that a ship carrying treasure chests filled with pearls also fits into this context.

After extensive searches, the archaeologists reported finding plaques commemorating religious figures, ceramics, and gold coins featuring Arabic inscriptions. Following the pirate encounter, there remains uncertainty about the fates of the slaves and the archbishop aboard the ship.

Similar discoveries have emerged in recent years. In 2018, underwater robots detected a Spanish shipwreck from centuries ago, thought to contain treasures worth billions. Moreover, Polish divers found an 1800s wreck that held champagne in July 2024.