A sinking treasure

Centuries after explorers triumphed over the sea and the others conquered by it left fragments of history scattered along the Indian coas...

Centuries after explorers triumphed over the sea and the others conquered by it left fragments of history scattered along the Indian coast, disturbing rumblings have been emanating from the ocean floor. Marine scientists say clues to distant civilisations tucked away in over 200 shipwrecks along the 7,500-km-long peninsula could be lost forever, what with treasure-seekers, the elements and a resource crunch keeping them from being dredged up.

Data collected by the National Institute of Oceanography NIO in Panaji indicates the presence of a large number of shipwrecks off the Konkan coast in the west, the Lakshadweep islands and off the southern coast. Preliminary investigations by the NIO8217;s Department of Marine Archaeology on these shipwrecks off Goa, Lakshadweep and Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu throw a light on India8217;s culture and trade links prevailing several centuries ago.

Exploration of the wrecks, which began in 1994, has helped unearth priceless terracotta items. A shipwreck off Poompuhar revealed leadingots manufactured in England in the early 18th century. 8220;Many ships carrying old and precious stones were sunk off the Indian coast by warring European navies,8221; K.H. Vora, scientist in charge, Marine Archaeology, NIO, says.

Papers published in The Journal of Marine Archaeology note that the Konkan coast alone is home to more than 80 shipwrecks. Marine archaeologists say Portuguese shipping after 1498, when Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope, was at the mercy of rival Dutch and French navies. As per archival information between 1497 and 1612, of the 806 ships which left Portugal for India, only 426 returned home safe.

Most of the wrecks being studied by the NIO are in relatively shallower waters, at a depth of around 20-25 m. 8220;At the moment, we are confining ourselves to this level of depth,8221; says Vora. However, exploration at this level is also an expensive affair. A full-fledged research ship like the Sagar Kanya owned by the Department of Ocean Developmentwould cost Rs 1 lakh per day. 8220;We, therefore, go for cheaper options like hiring fishing trawlers which cost Rs 10,000 per day,8221; says Vora. Still, the cost of conducting a full-fledged exploration work for 15 days would set back the sponsor by a whopping Rs 8 lakh.

The Central Government8217;s Department of Ocean Development provided funding for exploration of three wrecks off Goa, one at Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu and three at Lakshadweep. However, with the funding period ending last year, the NIO, a central government agency, is strapped for funds.

Vora, who played a major role in exploring the sunken city of Dwarka, feels Indian laws also hamper exploration efforts by private individuals. 8220;Since shipwrecks are considered a national treasure, no one can profit from them,8221; he notes.

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Marine archaeologists feel a detailed study of archives in England and Portugal could prove very informative for shipwreck enthusiasts. 8220;Much of the archival material is available in detail with the shipping authorities atLondon and Lisbon,8221; says Sundaresh, a senior scientist at the Department of Marine Archaeology.

Incidentally, the shipwrecks in the shallow waters off the Indian coast are in danger from trophy-hunting tourists. Three wrecks in the shallow waters off Goa are popular with tourists, who go scuba-diving to explore the sunken behemoths. 8220;Should someone take away anything of value, we would never know,8221; Vora admits.

Meanwhile, several ships lie undisturbed in the bottom of India8217;s seas preserved in part by the sedimentation formed over them. Still, the wooden parts of the old ships left uncovered are destroyed by barnacles and wood borers. If what is remaining is not retrieved soon, missing cultural and historical links may never see the light of day.