Long-Lost Shipwreck Loaded with Gold Discovered in Namibian Desert

In a stunning archaeological find, the remains of a Portuguese shipwreck, the Bom Jesus, were uncovered in a seemingly improbable location—the Namibian desert. The discovery, made in 2008 by diamond miners, revealed a treasure trove of gold coins, ivory, and other valuables, making it one of the most significant shipwreck finds in recent history. The estimated value of the gold alone is a staggering R246 million.

The Bom Jesus, which translates to “The Good Jesus,” set sail from Lisbon on March 7, 1533, bound for India. However, it was caught in a violent storm and disappeared without a trace for nearly 500 years. The vessel’s fate remained unknown until miners working for the De Beers diamond company stumbled upon the wreck while draining a man-made lagoon along Namibia’s coast.

The Discovery of a Lifetime

The miners, well-versed in the possibility of finding shipwrecks, immediately contacted Dr. Dieter Noli, chief archaeologist of the Southern Africa Institute of Maritime Archaeological Research. Dr. Noli had long believed that such a discovery was inevitable and had been advising the miners since 1996 on what to look for.

“When the find was made, I was not surprised,” Dr. Noli recalled. “I had told them for over a decade that one day a shipwreck would be found, and when it happened, they called me straight away.”

The excavation, which began shortly after the find, uncovered a treasure chest filled with Portuguese and Spanish gold coins. The find also included ivory tusks, copper ingots, and weapons such as muskets and swords.

What Made the Bom Jesus Special?

The preservation of the shipwreck was unusually remarkable. According to Dr. Noli, the ship’s cargo of copper ingots played a key role in protecting its contents from marine organisms that usually decompose organic material like wood and leather. “Copper really puts them off their food,” Noli explained. As a result, many artefacts remained in excellent condition, despite spending centuries beneath the sea.

Among the recovered items were more than 2,000 gold coins, Portuguese silver coins, bronze cannons, navigational instruments, cooking utensils, and over 50 elephant tusks. Despite these treasures, only a small portion of the ship’s original structure survived, as much of it had been battered by the sea over the centuries.

Theories on the Bom Jesus’ Fate

While the exact circumstances of the Bom Jesus’ sinking remain unclear, experts believe that the ship was driven too close to the shore during a particularly fierce storm. It is thought that the hull collided with a rock, causing the vessel to capsize. Over time, the receding waters left the ship exposed in the desert where it was later found.

Who Gets the Treasure?

Despite the immense value of the discovery, the De Beers company and its miners did not benefit from the treasure. According to Dr. Noli, Namibian law stipulates that any shipwreck found on its beaches belongs to the government. However, as the ship belonged to the King of Portugal, it was technically the property of Portugal.

In a generous gesture, the Portuguese government waived its claim to the wreck and its contents, allowing Namibia to keep all of the treasure. Today, the Bom Jesus stands as the oldest and most valuable shipwreck ever found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Namibian desert, with its rugged beauty and shifting sands, has long been associated with diamonds. But the discovery of the Bom Jesus added a new layer of mystery and historical significance to the region, proving that treasures lie not just beneath the earth but also beneath the sands of time.