3.2 Portuguese shipwrecks

Portuguese shipwrecks offer a unique window into the Age of Exploration. These underwater time capsules reveal the maritime culture, technology, and global trade networks that fueled Portugal's vast empire in the 15th and 16th centuries.

From cannons and spices to personal possessions, artifacts found in these wrecks paint a vivid picture of life at sea. They showcase the social hierarchy, technological innovations, and far-reaching trade connections that defined Portugal's maritime expansion.

Portuguese maritime expansion

• Portuguese maritime expansion during the Age of Exploration (15th-16th centuries) led to the establishment of a vast global empire and trade network
• Driven by the search for new trade routes, resources, and Christian allies, Portuguese explorers navigated along the coast of Africa, reached India, and discovered Brazil
• Portuguese maritime expansion had a significant impact on global trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of Christianity

Shipwreck sites vs land sites

• Shipwreck sites offer unique insights into maritime culture, technology, and trade compared to land-based archaeological sites
• Shipwrecks often contain well-preserved artifacts due to the anaerobic conditions underwater, providing a time capsule of the moment the ship sank
• Land sites, such as ports and settlements, provide a broader context for understanding the maritime activities and their impact on local societies

Artifacts of Portuguese shipwrecks

Cannons and armaments

Top images from around the web for Cannons and armaments

• 

  File:Portuguese Carracks off a Rocky Coast.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Portuguese Cannon | The Portuguese defenders of Fortaleza de… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Morocco Essaouira Portuguese Cannons.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Portuguese Carracks off a Rocky Coast.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Portuguese Cannon | The Portuguese defenders of Fortaleza de… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Cannons and armaments

• 

  File:Portuguese Carracks off a Rocky Coast.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Portuguese Cannon | The Portuguese defenders of Fortaleza de… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Morocco Essaouira Portuguese Cannons.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Portuguese Carracks off a Rocky Coast.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Portuguese Cannon | The Portuguese defenders of Fortaleza de… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Cannons were crucial for defense against pirates and rival powers, as well as for signaling and saluting
• Other armaments found in shipwrecks include firearms (muskets, pistols), swords, and daggers
• The presence and distribution of armaments provide insights into the ship's purpose, crew hierarchy, and the nature of maritime conflicts

Cargo and trade goods

• Portuguese shipwrecks often contain valuable cargo, such as spices (pepper, cinnamon, cloves), textiles (silk, cotton), precious metals (gold, silver), and exotic animals (parrots, monkeys)
• The composition of the cargo reflects the trade routes, economic interests, and cultural preferences of the time
• Amphoras, used for transporting liquids (wine, olive oil) and other goods, are common finds in shipwrecks

Personal possessions

• Personal items found in shipwrecks, such as clothing, jewelry, religious objects (crosses, rosaries), and navigational instruments (astrolabes, compasses), provide insights into the lives of the crew and passengers
• Coins and other forms of currency help date the shipwreck and understand the economic systems of the time
• Gaming pieces (dice, chess pieces) and musical instruments (fiddles, drums) shed light on the leisure activities and entertainment on board

Challenges of underwater archaeology

Locating shipwreck sites

• Historical records, such as ship logs, maps, and accounts of sinkings, can provide clues to the location of shipwrecks
• Remote sensing techniques, such as side-scan sonar, magnetometers, and sub-bottom profilers, are used to survey large areas of the seabed and detect anomalies that may indicate a shipwreck
• Collaboration with local communities, fishermen, and divers can lead to the discovery of previously unknown shipwreck sites

Excavation techniques

• Underwater excavation requires specialized equipment, such as dredges, airlifts, and underwater mapping tools, to carefully remove sediment and record the position of artifacts
• Divers must work in challenging conditions, such as limited visibility, strong currents, and deep depths, which can limit the time available for excavation
• Remote operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are increasingly used to access deep or hazardous sites and collect high-resolution data

Preservation of artifacts

• Artifacts recovered from shipwrecks require immediate conservation to prevent deterioration due to exposure to air and changes in temperature and humidity
• Conservation techniques vary depending on the material, such as desalination for ceramics and metal objects, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment for waterlogged wood
• Long-term storage and display of artifacts must be carefully controlled to ensure their stability and preserve them for future study and public appreciation

Famous Portuguese shipwrecks

Fleet of Pedro Álvares Cabral

• In 1500, a fleet led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, en route to India, accidentally discovered Brazil, claiming it for Portugal
• The fleet later encountered a storm off the coast of South Africa, resulting in the loss of several ships, including the Esmeralda, which was found in 2001
• Artifacts recovered from the Esmeralda, such as navigational instruments and trade goods, provide insights into the early Portuguese presence in the Indian Ocean

São João Baptista

• The São João Baptista, a Portuguese East Indiaman, sank off the coast of Mozambique in 1622 while returning from India
• The shipwreck was discovered in 1996, yielding a rich collection of artifacts, including Chinese porcelain, Indian textiles, and Portuguese artillery
• The cargo of the São João Baptista reflects the complex trade networks connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia in the early 17th century

Nossa Senhora dos Mártires

• The Nossa Senhora dos Mártires, a Portuguese nau, sank near the mouth of the Tagus River in Lisbon in 1606, likely due to overloading
• Excavations of the shipwreck, conducted between 1996 and 2001, recovered a wide array of artifacts, including navigational instruments, personal possessions, and trade goods
• The shipwreck provides a snapshot of Lisbon's role as a global trade hub at the height of the Portuguese Empire

Insights into 16th century life

Social hierarchy on ships

• The distribution of artifacts and living spaces within a shipwreck can reveal the social hierarchy on board, with officers and high-status passengers occupying separate quarters from the crew
• Differences in the quality and quantity of personal possessions, such as clothing and dining utensils, also reflect social distinctions
• The presence of slave shackles in some shipwrecks attests to the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade and the role of Portuguese ships in this practice

Maritime technology

• Portuguese shipwrecks showcase the technological innovations that enabled long-distance voyages, such as the carrack (nau) design, which combined ample cargo space with improved maneuverability
• Navigational instruments, such as astrolabes and quadrants, demonstrate the advancements in astronomy and mathematics that allowed for more accurate position-finding at sea
• The use of copper sheathing on ship hulls, as evidenced in some shipwrecks, represents an early attempt to protect against shipworm and prolong the life of the vessel

Global trade networks

• The variety of artifacts found in Portuguese shipwrecks, originating from different parts of the world, highlights the extensive trade networks established by the Portuguese Empire
• Chinese porcelain, Indian textiles, African ivories, and Brazilian dyewoods are among the many commodities transported by Portuguese ships, reflecting the global scope of their mercantile activities
• The presence of foreign coins and trading beads in shipwrecks attests to the role of Portuguese vessels in facilitating cultural exchange and the spread of ideas and technologies

Museums with Portuguese shipwreck artifacts

• Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (Lisbon, Portugal): Houses a significant collection of artifacts from Portuguese shipwrecks, including the Nossa Senhora dos Mártires
• Iziko Museums (Cape Town, South Africa): Displays artifacts from the São João Baptista and other Portuguese shipwrecks found along the South African coast
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington D.C., USA): Features artifacts from the São José Paquete de Africa, a Portuguese slave ship that sank off the coast of Cape Town in 1794

Ongoing research and exploration

• Advances in underwater technology, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and 3D photogrammetry, are enabling more efficient and less invasive surveys of shipwreck sites
• Interdisciplinary collaborations between archaeologists, historians, conservators, and marine scientists are crucial for understanding the complex nature of shipwrecks and their environmental context
• Ongoing research focuses on the study of shipwreck formation processes, the development of new conservation techniques, and the analysis of ancient DNA from organic remains found in shipwrecks
• Exploration of previously uncharted regions, such as the deep sea and remote archipelagos, may lead to the discovery of new Portuguese shipwrecks and further insights into the Age of Exploration