Sunken Treasure Found off Africa

Florida firm finds HMS Victory, lost in 1744

(NEWSER) - A shipwreck that could contain treasure worth over $1 billion has been found in the English Channel, Reuters reports. Florida’s Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered the wreck of the HMS Victory, an English flagship that was lost in a storm in 1744 with all 900 crew—and a stash of gold coins weighing 4 tons in total, according to historical documents. More»

Among the findings: an 18-foot-long necklace

(NEWSER) - Tucked within six underground vaults at a Hindu temple in southern India sits a treasure estimated to be worth more than $11.2 billion. Among the findings: precious stones, human figurines made of gold, thousands of necklaces (one 18 feet long), and many gold coins—and two of the chambers have yet to be opened. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple was built hundreds of years ago and dedicated to Vishnu, reports AFP . More»

Brit with metal detector uncovers 7th-century Anglo-Saxon jackpot

(NEWSER) - The biggest stash of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever found has been unearthed in a farmer's field in Staffordshire, England, by an amateur treasure hunter using a metal detector. The hoard, estimated to date back to the 7th century, includes weapons, helmets, and gold coins. Archaeologists are stunned both by the size—some 1,500 pieces—and the workmanship of the treasure, which brought tears to one expert's eyes. More»

(NEWSER) - A California man who used Google Earth to locate a 19th century Spanish treasure ship is suing for the right to excavate on private land, ABC News reports. Nathan Smith drove to Refugio, Texas, after spotting evidence—what it was isn’t clear—from a satellite photo. The case of Smith v. Abandoned Ship has landed in federal court, where his lawyer hopes maritime law will fall on their side. More»

Tons of gold coins could be on board sunken British warship

(NEWSER) - A US company has found a prized, 18th century British warship that may be worth millions, the BBC reports. Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration says it has spotted the HMS Victory, a man-o-war that sank in the English Channel in 1744 and has been sought by scavengers ever since. "Very rarely do you solve an age-old mystery like this," said Odyssey CEO Greg Stemm. More»