The fraught battle over the holy grail of shipwrecks
Published On Oct 2, 2024, 7:04 PM
The article discusses the ongoing debate over the ownership and fate of the Spanish galleon San José, which sank off the coast of Colombia in 1708. The wreck is believed to harbor treasures worth billions of dollars, with various parties claiming rights to it, including the Colombian government, the Spanish state, US salvage companies, and indigenous groups. The legal ownership remains undetermined due to complex international laws and disputes, raising questions about archaeological integrity versus the commercial value of the treasure.