By love-89.com A treasure hunt that’s been over 300 years in the making is now at the center of an unexpected international debate regarding ownership of the San José—a Spanish galleon that sank off the Caribbean coast of Colombia in 1708. Often touted as the most valuable shipwreck in history, the wreck is believed to hold a treasure trove of gold, silver, and emeralds, estimated to be worth billions.
In an exclusive interview, historian Carla Rahn Phillips, who has written a book about the San José, shared her insights into the complexities surrounding this issue. “It’s a real mess, and I don’t see an easy resolution in sight,” she stated. “With claims from the Spanish government, the Colombian authorities, various indigenous groups, and treasure hunters, I think it’s impossible to satisfy everyone’s demands.”
The San José sank while en route to Spain, carrying riches plundered from the Americas. A British warship accidentally fired a cannonball into the galleon’s powder magazines, leading to an explosion that killed around 600 people. Since its discovery, the Colombian government has expressed intentions to retrieve the ship and display it in a museum. Meanwhile, treasure hunters estimate that the sunken cargo could be worth as much as $18 billion.
Samuel Flores, a representative of the Qhara Qhara indigenous group, argues, “That wealth originated from the mines of Potosí in the Bolivian highlands. This cargo belongs to our people, and we believe it should be recovered from the sea to prevent treasure hunters from plundering it.” He stresses that the treasure represents a moral obligation to indigenous communities.
As legal battles unfold between Colombia and the U.S. salvage company Sea Search Armada, tensions continue to rise. The wreck sits undisturbed on the seabed, but the Colombian government has released intriguing videos showcasing artifacts such as cannons and gold coins.
Rahim Moloo, the attorney representing Sea Search Armada, calls the sunken treasure “the biggest treasure in the history of humanity,” claiming it includes seven million pesos and 116 steel chests filled with emeralds. However, Phillips questions the relevance of current treasure valuations. “When we talk about gold and silver coins, should we estimate based on the current market price of gold? Or what collectors might pay? To me, those estimates are almost meaningless.”
International laws surrounding shipwreck ownership add another layer of complexity. The United Nations established the Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, but it does not provide clarity on shipwreck ownership. Furthermore, many countries, including Colombia and the U.S., have yet to ratify subsequent agreements related to underwater cultural heritage.
Lawyer Michail Risvas explains, “The current legal framework is neither clear nor comprehensive. Unfortunately, international law doesn’t offer straightforward answers.”
As the debate over the future of the San José intensifies, diver and maritime archaeologist Rodrigo Pacheco Ruiz advocates for the preservation of shipwrecks’ integrity. He argues that excavating artifacts without recognizing their historical significance destroys their narrative. “You end up with just a pile of stuff,” he reflects. “There’s no understanding of ‘why was this onboard? Who owned it? Where was it headed?’—the human story behind it.”
Colombian maritime archaeologist Juan Guillermo Martín agrees, suggesting that both the treasure and the remains of the crew should remain untouched. “The treasure is part of the archaeological context, and its value lies strictly in scientific exploration.”
The saga of the San José represents not merely a contest over wealth, but a deeper struggle for cultural heritage and moral responsibility, leaving everyone to ponder who truly holds the rights to treasures lost at sea.