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Film-maker fires broadside at Unesco in row over 'Captain Kidd's treasure' find Film-maker fires broadside at Unesco in row over ‘Captain Kidd’s treasure’ find
(about 2 hours later)
A row has broken out between a documentary film-maker and Unesco after the UN agency rubbished claims that buried treasure belonging to notorious pirate Captain Kidd had been discovered off a Madagascan island. A row has broken out between a documentary film-maker and Unesco after the UN agency rubbished claims that buried treasure belonging to notorious pirate Captain William Kidd had been discovered off a Madagascan island.
In May, marine archaeologist Barry Clifford unveiled a “silver ingot” before the Madagascan president that he claimed came from the 17th-century buccaneer’s sunken ship.In May, marine archaeologist Barry Clifford unveiled a “silver ingot” before the Madagascan president that he claimed came from the 17th-century buccaneer’s sunken ship.
On Tuesday, Unesco issued a damning verdict on the find, saying the ingot was in fact 95% lead and “has been identified as a lead-ballast piece”, and that the shipwreck was in fact rubble from a nearby port. On Tuesday, Unesco issued a damning verdict on the find, saying the ingot was 95% lead and “has been identified as a lead-ballast piece”, and that the shipwreck was in fact rubble from a nearby port.
“No ship remains have been found,” the report said.“No ship remains have been found,” the report said.
Sam Brown, who is producing a film for the History Channel about Clifford’s discovery, said he was outraged by the UN’s analysis, calling it a “disgrace” and motivated by the UN’s opposition to privately funded research.Sam Brown, who is producing a film for the History Channel about Clifford’s discovery, said he was outraged by the UN’s analysis, calling it a “disgrace” and motivated by the UN’s opposition to privately funded research.
“Unesco will attempt to discredit Barry Clifford by whatever means they can,” Brown told AFP. “They have exhibited a frankly shocking lack of transparency and impartiality throughout.“Unesco will attempt to discredit Barry Clifford by whatever means they can,” Brown told AFP. “They have exhibited a frankly shocking lack of transparency and impartiality throughout.
“They dived on the wreck site for less than four days in poor visibility and used very questionable methods.”“They dived on the wreck site for less than four days in poor visibility and used very questionable methods.”
In May, the Madagascar president Hery Rajaonarimampianina held a special ceremony, attended by the UK ambassador, to mark the discovery of a “55kg bar of silver” in shallow waters off Saint Marie island. In May, Madagascar’s president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, held a special ceremony, attended by the UK ambassador, to mark the discovery of a “55kg bar of silver” in shallow waters off Sainte-Marie island.
Sainte Marie Island: shipwreck and treasure discovery near the Islet of Madame. Captain Kidd's "Adventure Galley"? pic.twitter.com/pbLMykXiBoSainte Marie Island: shipwreck and treasure discovery near the Islet of Madame. Captain Kidd's "Adventure Galley"? pic.twitter.com/pbLMykXiBo
The US-UK team that discovered the bar was led by Clifford, who had claimed in 2000 to have discovered some remains of Kidd’s ship, Adventure Galley, including a metal oarlock, shards of Ming porcelain and bottles of rum three centuries old.The US-UK team that discovered the bar was led by Clifford, who had claimed in 2000 to have discovered some remains of Kidd’s ship, Adventure Galley, including a metal oarlock, shards of Ming porcelain and bottles of rum three centuries old.
Related: Captain Kidd's 'rediscovered' treasure really just lead and rubble, Unesco saysRelated: Captain Kidd's 'rediscovered' treasure really just lead and rubble, Unesco says
Brown said he fundamentally disagreed with the Unesco team. “Maps and primary source documents clearly state that Captain Kidd scuttled his ship in this area,” he wrote. “I do not believe the Unesco team were even diving on the correct shipwreck.”Brown said he fundamentally disagreed with the Unesco team. “Maps and primary source documents clearly state that Captain Kidd scuttled his ship in this area,” he wrote. “I do not believe the Unesco team were even diving on the correct shipwreck.”
Although highly respected for finds such as the pirate shipwreck, Whydah, in 1984, Clifford has had mixed success in his field. Another of his discoveries, which he said was the wreck of Christopher Columbus’s flagship from 1492, was also declared to be incorrect by Unesco. Although highly respected for finds such as the pirate shipwreck Whydah in 1984, Clifford has had mixed success in his field. Another of his discoveries, which he said was the wreck of Christopher Columbus’s flagship from 1492, was also declared to be incorrect by Unesco.
Michel L’Hour, head of the Unesco team, was deeply dismissive of Clifford’s methods. “Did anyone see a single element which would allow us to date the site?” he told AFP in Sainte-Marie. “How can anyone just get out of the water and say: ‘I’ve found Captain Kidd’s treasure’?”Michel L’Hour, head of the Unesco team, was deeply dismissive of Clifford’s methods. “Did anyone see a single element which would allow us to date the site?” he told AFP in Sainte-Marie. “How can anyone just get out of the water and say: ‘I’ve found Captain Kidd’s treasure’?”