Archaeologists Investigate Shipwreck Near Kenya

An international team of archaeologists is investigating a shipwreck near Malindi, Kenya, which could potentially be the galleon São Jorge, linked to Vasco da Gama's final voyage in 1524. Discovered in 2013, the wreck lies approximately 500 meters offshore and is believed to have settled into a coral reef, complicating its study. Artifacts such as elephant tusks and copper ingots, along with timber samples, suggest a Portuguese origin and point to the ship being part of da Gama's fleet. The research team is led by experts from the University of Coimbra, the National Museum of Kenya, and the Bergen Maritime Museum, and aims to conclusively identify the ship through ongoing excavations. If confirmed as the São Jorge, this discovery would provide significant insights into early 16th-century maritime history and trade routes. Previous research identified this area as the site of multiple Portuguese shipwrecks from the same era, enhancing the historical context of the find.