From Morocco to the Coast of England: The Story of the Dom van Keulen and its Remarkable Cargo (British Museum Research Publications)

Discovery reveals a Dutch trading shipwreck’s wealth, linking Moroccan gold, early maritime trade, and Britain.In 1995, remarkable contents of a 17th-century shipwreck began to be discovered by divers of the South West Maritime Archaeological Group off Salcombe Bay. The finds consist of over 400 gold coins of the Sa‘dian Sharifs of Morocco in addition to ingots, jewellery as well as other items including Dutch pewter and pottery subsequently acquired by the British Museum. Although the ship has not survived, the divers discovered remnants of wood, rope and lead that were parts of its infrastructure. The finds from this shipwreck are significant for several reasons: the gold is clearly a bullion hoard and the number of Sa‘dian coins within it offer new insights into the numismatic history of the period. In addition, examples of 16th−17th century Moroccan jewellery from this period rarely survive in datable contexts. Alongside these gold items are objects which provide a fascinating insight into everyday life on board ship, including personal possessions and the rare survival of resin-coated pills and faba beans. Whilst there was much debate at the time of discovery about the origin and identity of the ship, it became clear from analysis of the objects that a Dutch origin was the most likely. Research undertaken for this publication has now revealed the identity of the ship – the Dom van Keulen, a Dutch trading ship which is reported to have sunk off the coast of Salcombe in 1633. This multi-authored book therefore not only offers a detailed record of the find and the process of recovery, but provides important context for the history of the period: the fabulous wealth and architecture of the Sa ‘dian Sharifs, the trade in African gold as well as tangible evidence of a flourishing maritime trade in the 17th century, connecting Morocco, the Low Countries and Britain.Table of ContentsPart 1: Contextual historyIntroduction – Venetia PorterChapter 1 The find and its circumstances – Dave ParhamChapter 2 The identification of the 17th-century designated wreck site at Salcombe, Devon – Ian FrielChapter 3 The gold trade – Sam NixonPart 2: The findsChapter 4 Coins – Cécile Bresc and Archie WilliamsChapter 5 Jewellery – Sue La Niece and Jane PerryChapter 6 Composition of the Salcombe Bay gold and contemporary Moroccan assay and refining practice: potential and reality – Mike Cowell, Paul Craddock and Maria GuerraChapter 7 Ships, timber, rope and botanical remains – Caroline Cartwright with contribution by Gwilym Lewis on the beansChapter 8 Contents of the ceramic pharmacy jar – Rebecca StaceyChapter 9 The Salcombe clay pipe – Peter DaveyChapter 10 Pottery, pewter, sounding weight and tiles – David GaimsterBibliographyIndex Read more