Building workers in Buenos Aires have discovered the remains of an eighteenth century Spanish galleon. Archaeologists in Argentina are calling it one of the most important finds ever made in the country. Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires:

Listen to the story

Archaeologists were called and together they uncovered four cannons, timbers from the ship's hull and evidence that the vessel was probably sent to trade in leather. Archaeologist Marcelo Weissel said the discovery was unique in Argentina.

Work is now underway on finding out more. Early indications are that the ship sank in about seventeen-fifty. The mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri, said the construction company and archaeologists would work together on what looks like being a great treasure for the whole city.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century Buenos Aires was becoming a major port city, as Spanish colonists began transporting silver from what is now southern Bolivia through the city to Europe. But the waters were often treacherous and pirates were rampant, leaving a trail of destruction waiting to be unearthed hundreds of years later.

Daniel Schweimler, BBC News, Buenos Aires

Listen to the words

a luxury apartment block
a big building consisting of a number of large and very comfortable flats

struck
here, found, discovered

cannons
large, powerful guns used in the past, firing heavy stone or metal balls

timbers
large pieces of wood used in the framework, or hull, of a wooden ship

the vessel
the ship

a great treasure
a very important and valuable find

major
here, very important and used a lot

the waters
here, the ocean near the city

treacherous
here, extremely dangerous

rampant
here, uncontrollable and getting worse

Read more about this story

To take away:
Download or print (21 K)