The shipwreck that was discovered in Namdeb’s Mining Area 1 near Oranjemund in early 2008, earned itself a place in the October 2009 edition of National Geographic magazine. Proclaimed as one of the most important international discoveries on the African continent, the ship is believed to be the oldest, and richest, wreck ever found on the coast of sub-Saharan Africa. It has now been concluded that the wreck is that of the Bom Jesus, part of a fleet of trading ships that left Lisbon in March 1533. The archaeological dig, that was concluded at the site in October 2008, brought up thousands of Portuguese and Spanish gold and silver coins, hundreds of kilograms of ivory, tin, copper and some personal items. www.namdeb.com
