A treasure trove of jewelry, medals and historical artifacts has been unearthed in the Bahamas dating back to the legendary 17th-century wreck of the Maravillas — and the public is about to see it. Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas (Our Lady of Wonders), a two-decker Spanish galley, sank on January 4, 1656, off the Little Bahama Bank in the northern Bahamas on a voyage to Seville from Cuba. He had many treasures of both royal taxation and private property. The 891-tonne ship went down after colliding with the flagship of its fleet. It hit a reef 30 minutes later – and eventually sank. The wreckage was scattered several miles out into the ocean, with no significant part of the ship remaining. For more than 360 years, archaeologists and adventurers have tried to locate the wreckage lost in the wreckage. And while much of the treasure – about 3.5 million pieces, out of eight – was salvaged between 1656 and the early 1990s, modern technology such as high-resolution magnetometers, improved GPS and metal detecting have allowed the Exploration of Allen to bring to the surface riches beyond one’s imagination. Allen Exploration used modern technology to discover the treasure. Chad Bagwell/Allen Exploration In an interview with Fox News Digital, Allen Exploration founder Carl Allen said he and his team began recovering valuable artifacts in July 2020 near Walker’s Cay. The high-tech tools, as well as the official permission given to them by the Bahamian government to survey the Northern Bahamas area – known to be a debris hotspot – have made “very surprising” discoveries, the businessman said. “We’ve recovered thousands of artifacts,” he said. Three gold chains recovered.Nathaniel Harrington/Allen Exploration “Cannons, anchors, emeralds and amethysts… We are about 3,000 silver coins and 25 gold coins,” he said. The water in the area is only 50 feet deep, while the sand can bury treasure up to 20 feet, he revealed. However, that didn’t stop Allen from proving his doubters wrong and discovering treasures that took his breath away. “When I took out the first precious object, I was breathless,” he said. “I couldn’t breathe.” “I’ve been thinking about it all my life.” Exciting finds also include Spanish olive jars, Chinese porcelain and iron rigging, according to an AllenX press release. Four medallions worn by the holy order of Santiago were recovered. Nathaniel Harrington/Allen Exploration The team also discovered a silver sword hilt that belonged to the soldier Don Martin de Aranda y Gusmán. the item helped the teams identify these treasures as belonging to the sunken Maravillas. Four medallions worn by members of the holy Order of Santiago, a religious band of knights active in the Spanish maritime trade, were also found. AllenX considered the Order of Santiago jewels to be the “star” finds so far. A gold pendant with the Cross of Santiago was designed in the shape of a scallop shell. The treasures are worth millions of dollars. Nathaniel Harrington/Allen Exploration It is enhanced by what appears to be an Indian bezoar stone – a famous European stone known for its healing properties. Another gold locket features the same cross overlaying a large, oval Colombian emerald. Three gold chains were recovered, including an 887-gram gold chain consisting of 80 circular links and decorated with four-lobed rosette motifs, likely crafted in the Philippines, the team said. AllenX reported that there are no exact replicas of the chain from other excavations in museum collections or as seen in Spanish portrait art. Allen Exploration archaeologist Jim Sinclair told Fox News Digital that these artifacts reveal how people lived in the colonial period and in the New World. The Maravillas were a huge blow for Spain. Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration As an archaeologist of 40 years and the original explorer of iconic shipwrecks such as the Titanic, Sinclair said a recovery like the Maravillas reflected an “amazing leap” in technology. The archaeologist also considered artifact analysis a “really good development” in tracing human behavior and history. Although the value of these items is likely in the millions of dollars, the items are priceless, said Bill Springer, a spokesman for Allen Exploration. None of Allen Exploration’s finds will be auctioned or sold. Instead, the finds will become part of an exhibit at Allen Exploration’s Bahamas Maritime Museum, located at Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport. The museum is scheduled to open on Saturday, August 6, 2022. It will reveal other exhibits about maritime history in the Bahamas, as well as the transatlantic slave trade and the Lucaya people.
Only 45 survivors
The Maravillas exhibition also presents the story of the shipwreck. Of the nearly 650 passengers on board, only 45 are known to have survived. No human remains have been found. The wreck was a “huge blow”, Allen explained, as Spain at the time was struggling financially and the boat was full of valuables. It was one of the largest treasure ships ever to leave the Indies – so Allen said he expects even more items to be uncovered. Allen Exploration founder Carl Allen says he expects more treasures to be found. Brendan Chavez/Allen Exploration The “mother lode” has yet to be discovered, he said. and when it does, he said the recall would be “extremely valuable.” “The manifest usually on these old ships, a lot of times – it was only about half of what was on the ship because there was so much contraband,” he said. “Well, that’s the exciting part.” Along with launching the museum, Allen furthers his passion for discovery and education by developing underwater archeology programs for Bahamian children. “The big problem is, [the debris] it’s not going to stay there forever,” he said. “And it’s a wreck playground.” “So I created a path for other people to do it – and I welcome it.” Allen Exploration’s Bahamas Maritime Museum in Freeport, Grand Bahama opens on August 6, 2022. For more information, the museum’s website is
