An underwater archaeologist has reportedly documented 8,620 shipwrecks in Portuguese waters, with approximately 250 thought to hold lost treasures.
The findings cover the coastal regions of mainland Portugal as well as the surrounding waters of the Azores and Madeira.
The expert believes that around 250 shipwrecks with lost treasures may be hidden in Portuguese waters, however, were left unprotected due to poor government intervention, reports EuroNews.
Alexandre Monteiro, a researcher from Nova University in Lisbon, shared his findings, which are based on a detailed database he compiled of shipwrecks dating back to the 1500s when historical records became available.
He told Portuguese news agency Lusa: “I have documented around 7,500 wrecks along the mainland coast, 1,000 near the Azores, and 120 near Madeira.”
According to Mr Monteiro, around 250 of these wrecks contain lost treasures within Portugal’s territorial waters.
He said: “I know, for instance, that off the coast of Troia, there’s a Spanish ship from 1589 called Nossa Senhora do Rosário.
“I have investigated its history and even know the name of the captain’s mother. Official records show it carried 22 tonnes of gold and silver.”
Mr Monteiro has confirmed the government is aware of the information because it has been made publicly available through publication.
However, despite this awareness, the government has not taken any steps or initiated any actions in response to the information.
He continued: “We know there are 250 treasure ships, and sooner or later, a construction project or something similar will uncover one of them. Yet, there’s no contingency plan to protect such discoveries.”
Monteiro also dismissed the risk of treasure hunters raiding these sites, explaining, “That’s unlikely, as most of the wrecks are buried under sand.”