The discovery of six shipwrecks near Nassau, Bahamas, has shed new light on the Golden Age of Piracy, a period between the 1650s and 1730s when pirates operated throughout the Caribbean and other trade routes.
The New Providence Pirates Expedition and Wreckwatch announced the findings in a joint statement, highlighting the significance of the discovery in the pirates' home waters.
Researchers found three shipwrecks from the Golden Age of Piracy, including one that yielded iron cannons, lead musket balls, and a sword sharpener - items consistent with piracy during the era.
At another wreck, divers found clay tobacco pipes bearing the royal crest of England, suggesting it was an English trading vessel from the 1740s.
The team also discovered hull planks, rigging, and cargo remains, including glass bottles and bricks from the ship's galley, which provided rare insight into Nassau's transformation from a pirate haven to a normal port of trade.
Project co-director Michael Pateman described the crystal-clear visibility at one site as a "miracle," allowing researchers to identify key features of an armed wreck.
The wreck was heavily armed, especially with swivel guns, the cannon of choice for pirates.
For another wreck, researchers suggested it was likely a pirate vessel based on a combination of artifacts and structural evidence.
The discovery of an iron cannon, a swivel gun, lead musket balls, and a sword sharpener at one site pointed toward a wrecked sloop, the small and swift pirate vessel of choice.
Marine archaeologist Sean Kingsley said the absence of cargo like pottery and the narrow width of the ballast mound all pointed toward a wrecked sloop.
Kingsley also noted that the vessel's wooden treenails suggest it was built during the late 1600s or early 1700s, although further research is needed to identify the wreck.
The researchers emphasized that piracy was not always a villainous pursuit, but rather a means for sailors to escape harsh conditions and low pay in the Royal Navy and merchant fleets.
Piracy offered rebels a chance to earn up to 1,000% more than sailing on regular merchant vessels, and the researchers highlighted the allure of freedom and wealth that piracy represented.
The expedition hopes to map the entire harbor with an underwater drone, especially in the more dangerous areas, to uncover more secrets hidden beneath the surface.
The team plans to record the cannon wreck with multibeam or 3D photography and to dig up the wooden hull to crack its full story and look for cargo and small finds to fine-tune its date.
