The news in Portuguese
Dois canhões de bronze do século 16 foram retirados do mar perto de Esposende. Eles são raros e pesam muito. Usaram balões de ar para trazê-los à superfície . Os canhões agora serão limpos e conservados . Este trabalho ajuda a entender mais sobre a história marítima de Portugal.
Translation
Two 16th-century bronze cannons have been retrieved from the sea near Esposende. They are rare and very heavy. Air balloons were used to bring them to the surface. The cannons will now be cleaned and preserved. This work aids in enhancing the understanding of Portugal's maritime history.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: What were used to bring the cannons to the surface?
Air balloons were used to bring the cannons to the surface.
Question 2: Where were the cannons found?
The cannons were found in the sea near Esposende.
Exercise: Vocabulary
Read the full story
▌28/10/2024
In a remarkable recovery operation, two bronze cannons from a 16th-century Portuguese caravel were successfully retrieved from the sea off the coast of Esposende. This extraction marks a significant event, as the vessel’s remnants were discovered only a decade ago, drawing interest from archaeologists and historians both locally and internationally.
The cannons, believed to weigh between 500 to 700 kilograms and each measuring nearly three meters in length, were among the few surviving specimens of their kind. Divers utilised advanced techniques, including air balloons, to carefully lift them from their watery grave and transport them to land. These efforts underscore the complexity and challenges often involved in underwater archaeological excavations.
16th Century Portuguese Cannons Retrieved from Sea (Illustration)
Following their retrieval, the cannons are set to undergo extensive cleaning and conservation treatments, which experts estimate could take up to two years. This procedure is essential for preserving the cannons, given their extended submersion in a corrosive saltwater environment.
The shipwreck, identified as a Portuguese caravel, was likely used to transport both goods and passengers. Notably, the bronze cannons feature an octagonal body, a rare design that makes them particularly significant; only three other cannons of this type are known to exist in Portugal. In addition to the bronze pieces, four other iron cannons remain beneath the sea, hinting at the potential for future discoveries.
This successful recovery operation not only sheds light on Portugal's rich maritime heritage but also presents exciting opportunities for further archaeological research and public display, contributing to our understanding of historical seafaring and trade practices.
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