The Colombian government has announced an expedition to recover items of “incalculable value” from the wreck of the legendary San Jose galleon, which sank in 1708 while carrying gold, silver, and emeralds estimated to be worth billions of dollars.

Culture Minister Juan David Correa stated that, seven years after the discovery of the wreck off Colombia’s coast, an underwater robot would be deployed to extract items from the galleon’s exterior between April and May.

This operation, costing over $4.5 million, will be conducted at a depth of 600 meters to retrieve items such as ceramics, wood pieces, and shells without damaging the wreck.

The location of the expedition is kept secret to safeguard this significant archaeological find from potential treasure hunters, the South China Morning Post is reporting.

The San Jose galleon, owned by the Spanish crown, sank near Cartagena in 1708 after being attacked by the British navy, carrying treasures including chests of emeralds and around 200 tonnes of gold coins.

Written by B.C. Begley