Marine archaeologists have discovered that two shipwrecks in Costa Rica are the remains of Danish slave ships missing for centuries — a finding that restores the ancestral lineage of an entire Costa Rican community more than 300 years after the vessels’ occupants reached its shores. The wrecks had long been known to sit in shallow waters off Cahuita National Park, on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, according to the National Museum of Denmark. However, for years, they were believed to be pirate ships, the museum said in a news release. Fisherpeople who established themselves in the area in 1826 thought this because the ships’ remains were dispersed and broken. They believed the two ships might have been engaged in a fight and capsized, Maria Suarez Toro, founder of the local community initiative Ambassadors of the Sea Community Diving Center, told CNN Friday. The ships’ identities were only called into question in 2015, when American marine archaeologists found yellow bricks in one of the wrecks. This discovery was significant because yellow bricks were produced in the German town of Flensburg in the 18th and 19th centuries for use in Denmark and its colonies. They were not in fashion in other European countries at the time, according to the museum. Historical sources had recorded that two Danish slave vessels were shipwrecked off the coast of Central America in 1710: The Fridericus Quartus was set on fire, while the anchor rope of the Christianus Quintus was cut and the ship was swept away. But the location of the wrecks was not known — until now. Marine archaeologists from the National Museum and Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum carried out an underwater excavation of the Costa Rica wrecks in 2023, taking wood from one, as well as samples of bricks, and finding several clay pipes. Researchers at the National Museum and the University of Southern Denmark then carried out scientific analyses that confirmed the historical accounts, the museum noted. Tree-ring dating revealed that oak wood from one of the wrecks originated from the western part of the Baltic Sea, which encompasses Denmark, northeastern Germany and southern Sweden. The wood was from a tree cut down between 1690 and 1695, according to the museum. The yellow bricks were measured and found to be the same size as the ones made in Flensburg for the Danish. The clay used in the bricks was found to be from southern Denmark, either from the small town of Egernsund or from Iller Strand, both of which had large brick-making industries in the 18th century. The clay pipes were also revealed to be Danish, with their size, shape and designs indicating that they were made just before 1710, when the ships were wrecked. “The analyses are very convincing and we no longer have any doubts that these are the wrecks of the two Danish slave ships,” said marine archaeologist David Gregory, a research professor and head of the new maritime research center, Njord, at the National Museum of Denmark, in the news release. “The bricks are Danish and the same goes for the timbers, which are additionally charred and sooty from a fire. This fits perfectly with the historical accounts stating that one of the ships burnt,” he added. Rebellion and mutiny Gregory led the excavations alongside marine archaeologist Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch, who is also a curator at the National Museum. “It’s been a long process and I’ve come close to giving up along the way, but this is undoubtedly the craziest archaeological excavation I’ve yet been part of,” Bloch said in the news release. “Not only because it matters greatly to the local population, but also because it’s one of the most dramatic shipwrecks in the history of Denmark, and now we know exactly where it happened. This provides two pieces that have been missing from the history of Denmark,” he added. Bloch told CNN on Friday that the discovery is significant in part because of the “dramatic events involved with (the ships’) journey from Copenhagen to West Africa, and from there to the shores of Cahuita in Costa Rica.” A rebellion by the enslaved people, a “horrible” navigational mistake and a mutiny by crew members when they arrived at Cahuita are among the events documented in the Danish archives, Bloch said. The rebellion took place aboard the Fridericus Quartus, which was traveling from Ghana to the Dutch colony of St. Thomas. The uproar, combined with the French and English declaring war, influenced the decision by the Dutch to send the ship with a partner vessel, Toro said. There were 800 people across the two ships, which got lost because of smog, she said. Instead of going north of a light they saw, which might have been Barbados, they went south, ending up at Costa Rica on March 2. Fear of pirates and the natives led to two days of arguments between the captains over whether they should go onto the shore to look for food and water. This led to a mutiny among the sailors and the enslaved people — after which around 650 people remained. Rewriting Afro-Costa Rican history The “most dramatic part is the lives that changed due to this event. More than 600 Africans were left on the beach, in what today is Cahuita National Park,” Bloch said. “The discovery is significant for Danish history, and the fact that we can tie our history to Costa Rica. But it is even more significant for the local population in Costa Rica as it has a direct meaning for the identity of the local people,” he added. The effort to unravel the identity of the ships and connect it to the identity of the community has been a decade-long project stewarded by a group of youth scuba divers of African and Indigenous origins, said Toro, adding that they feel “pride because they have found their roots.” The discovery “changes also the story about this region,” she said, adding that it proves Afro-Costa Ricans were in the province of Limon “a hundred years before it was registered in official history.” The endeavor by the community and the scientists to identify the sunken slave ships appeared in the 2020 television documentary series “Enslaved,” hosted by Samuel L. Jackson. Celia Ortíz, from the Costa Rican city of Cartago, said her 103-year-old mother is a descendant of Miguel Maroto, one of the enslaved men who disembarked from one of the ships, according to Ambassadors of the Sea. Ortiz said finding her ancestry even late in her mother’s life “brought new light to our lives.”
Costa Rica shipwrecks, long thought to be pirate ships, were transporting enslaved people, scientists say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Discovery of Danish Slave Ships in Costa Rica Reshapes Historical Narrative"
CNN
8.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Marine archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery off the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, revealing that two shipwrecks long believed to be pirate vessels are actually the remains of Danish slave ships that sank over 300 years ago. The wrecks, located near Cahuita National Park, were initially thought to be pirate ships due to their fragmented remains, a belief held by local fishermen since the area was settled in 1826. However, a significant turning point occurred in 2015 when marine archaeologists found yellow bricks in one of the wrecks, leading to a re-evaluation of their identities. These bricks were produced in Flensburg, Germany, specifically for the Danish market in the 18th and 19th centuries, establishing a link to the historical accounts of two Danish slave vessels, the Fridericus Quartus and the Christianus Quintus, that were reported missing in 1710. Recent underwater excavations carried out by researchers from the National Museum of Denmark and Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum confirmed the ships’ identities through various scientific analyses, including tree-ring dating and examination of clay pipes, which were also traced back to Denmark.
The findings hold immense historical significance not only for Denmark but also for the local Costa Rican community, as they restore the ancestral lineage of individuals descended from the enslaved people aboard the ships. Marine archaeologist David Gregory emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating that it completes a narrative that has been missing from Danish history and highlights the dramatic events surrounding the ships' journeys. Notably, the Fridericus Quartus was involved in a rebellion during its passage from Africa, and navigational errors led to the ships' arrival in Costa Rica, where approximately 650 enslaved individuals were left on the beach. This revelation is vital for the Afro-Costa Rican community, as it challenges historical narratives and affirms their presence in the region long before it was officially recorded. The decade-long effort to uncover the history of these ships has not only united scientists and local youth of African and Indigenous descent but has also fostered a sense of pride and identity, as they reconnect with their roots and rewrite the narrative of their history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent discovery of shipwrecks off the coast of Costa Rica has unveiled a significant historical revelation, shifting the narrative from pirate ships to vessels involved in the transatlantic slave trade. This finding not only redefines the history of these ships but also impacts the descendants of those who were enslaved, bringing to light their ancestral lineage after centuries of obscurity.
Purpose Behind the Publication
The primary intention behind this article is to shed light on a previously misunderstood aspect of Costa Rican history. By revealing the true identities of these ships, the article aims to educate the public about the historical reality of slavery and its implications on contemporary societies. This aligns with a broader movement to acknowledge and address historical injustices and their lasting impacts on communities.
Societal Implications
This revelation may foster a sense of identity and belonging among descendants of enslaved people, potentially strengthening community ties and advocacy for social justice. It also opens avenues for further discussions about reparations and recognition of historical wrongs, which can lead to changes in public policy and education regarding slavery and its aftermath.
Concealed Narratives
While the article emphasizes the discovery's importance, it may inadvertently downplay other ongoing social issues within Costa Rica or the region, such as current socio-economic disparities and systemic racism. By focusing solely on this historical aspect, there is a risk of diverting attention from contemporary problems that affect marginalized groups.
Manipulative Elements
The article does not appear to contain overt manipulative tactics; however, its framing could invoke strong emotional responses that might skew perceptions of current societal issues. The emphasis on the historical significance may create a narrative that could be used politically to advocate for certain agendas, such as increased funding for historical education or reparative initiatives.
Historical Accuracy
The findings are backed by scientific analyses and historical documentation, enhancing the credibility of the article. The discoveries made by marine archaeologists, including the identification of bricks from specific historical periods, corroborate the claims made regarding the ships' origins and purposes.
Collective Memory and Support
This article resonates particularly with communities advocating for social justice, historical recognition, and those interested in the impacts of colonialism. It seeks to engage audiences who are invested in understanding their heritage and the legacies of slavery.
Market and Economic Impact
While the article primarily focuses on historical and social significance, it could indirectly influence tourism and education sectors in Costa Rica. Increased interest in historical sites related to this discovery may lead to economic benefits for local communities through heritage tourism.
Global Power Dynamics
The implications of this discovery may not have immediate effects on global power structures, but it contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding the legacies of colonialism and slavery. As societies grapple with these histories, it can influence broader conversations about reparations and justice on a global scale.
AI Involvement
There is no direct evidence to suggest that artificial intelligence played a role in the writing of this article. However, AI models could be involved in data analysis or historical research that informed the findings. If utilized, AI may assist in organizing data or enhancing the presentation of the information, but the article's narrative appears to stem from human research and interpretations.
Overall, this article provides a significant contribution to understanding Costa Rican history and the legacies of slavery, encouraging reflection and dialogue about the past and its relevance to the present.