Mexican Fisherman Found a 200-Year-Old Shipwreck Off the Coast of Mexico
A Mexican fisherman found a 200-year-old shipwreck off the coast of Mexican with the help of Mexican archaeologists, according to a recently published article. Another fascinating discovery was found by the well-known Mexican fisherman Manuel Polanco. The discovery was even made possible with the help of Mexican archaeologists from Mexico's National Archaeological Institute.
According to the underwater Mexican archaeologists, the ship is estimated to be around 200 years old. It sank after it hit a reef. Details about the discovery were also described. They said that most of the woods have rotted away over the years but the ship's cannon and anchor are well preserved. Additionally, the boat was found in an area called the "Dreamcatcher" where it also found its tragic journey. The location got its name after many ships have met their fate and the place is also close to the ring-shaped Banco Chincorro atoll reef.
Meanwhile, they also believed that the shipwreck found was an English sailboat dating back to the 18yj or the beginning of the 19th century. However, this information is not yet confirmed. The INAH underwater archaeologists said that they will do further study to trace the origin and the owner of the ship. According to another recently published report, the shipwreck was found just 35km from Majahual on Mexico's Caribbean coast. They believed that the ship hit the reef called the "Nightmare Reef" or "Sleep-Robbing Reef" because of the dangers it brings to the fishermen sailing the place.
Moreover, Mexico has declared its underwater sites as part of their cultural heritage because of many wrecks that are found in the area. This would help shape bit only the history of Mexico but of other countries as well. Few of the wrecks found in the area are the two Spanish Galleons, 40 Cannons, The Angel which is used to ship logwood from Mexico to Europe at that time. These were all discovered by the Mexican fisherman Manuel Polanco.
It is for this reason that Mexico's National Archaeological Insitute named the newly found shipwreck to honor Polanco for his discoveries. Some of these discoveries were during the 1960s and 1970s.
In an official press release of the institute, it says"The fishermen are the ones who know Chinchorro best since they navigate it daily to earn their living, diving the Caribbean waters to find fish, lobsters or conch, that they sell in Mahahual or Xcalak, and often they happen to find submerged archaeological contexts." Meanwhile, Manuel Polanco is already in his old age or around the 80s. Instead of going with the Mexican archaeologists, he instead sent his son, Benito, to locate the shipwreck in the area where it is believed it accidentally hit the reef.
Polanco has discovered what is believed as an English sailboat in the early 1990s and reported it immediately. However, the first dive to confirm the report was only made around two months ago. It was then that they confirmed Polanco's discovery.
It is indeed true that there are more things to discover in Mexico. Not only the ruined Mayan, Mammoths, Mars-like places but shipwrecks as well.
Read related articles:
- Archaeologists Unearthed Bones of Mammoths in Mexico
- Mammoth Skeletons Dated 15,000 Years Old Discovered in Mexico
- Mars-Like Mexico: Cuatro Cienegas Coahuila
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