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Is the 2015 wreck the San José?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What did the San José carry when she sank?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the wreck is the San JoséAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. The wreck is the San José. leads, with evidence 2 for, 1 against: supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

Colombia's claim, the arbitration and the recovery programme all assume it. The 2025 coin study is the only published test⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

The wreck is the San José.
Supported by its tests
Evidence: 2 for, 1 against
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Vargas Ariza et al. puts forward: the wreck is the San José.
  2. Antiquity (press release) puts forward: the wreck is another Spanish ship of the period (a merchantman of the same fleet or a later loss).
  3. Antiquity (press release): the authors call the identification an advance, not a conclusion.Against: The wreck is the San José.
  4. Vargas Ariza et al.: gold cobs on the seabed carry Lima mint marks, the arms of Castile and León and the date 1707.For: The wreck is the San José.
  5. Jaramillo Arango: chinese porcelain and jars on the site are consistent with the Portobelo fair cargo.For: The wreck is the San José.
  6. Asked on this site
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