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A four‑letter lock recovered from the wreck of the 16th‑century merchant ship Ann Francis has been decoded after more than four centuries of mystery. The lock, which was found in the deep waters off the Welsh coast, was examined by researchers at Cardiff University using computed tomography (CT) scanning. The non‑invasive imaging allowed the team to create detailed three‑dimensional models of the lock’s internal cuts and to determine the correct combination: ANCE. The Ann Francis sank on 28 December 1583 during a storm while returning from Spain. The wreck was first discovered in the 1970s, and since 1996 metal‑detectorist Peter Hughes has recovered a number of artefacts that are now displayed at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. The lock’s unusual use of letters rather than numbers has attracted particular interest. While the researchers have not been able to confirm the meaning of “ANCE” or the exact contents it secured, they speculate that it may have been attached to a safe containing silver coins, important documents, or clothing. David Williams, the lead researcher, described the experience of solving the 400‑year‑old puzzle as “a special experience.” The discovery underscores the vast amount of undiscovered historical material that remains hidden beneath the sea. According to Historic England, there are approximately 37 000 shipwrecks recorded in waters around England, but only about 4 000 have been identified. In Welsh waters, more than 8 000 underwater archaeological sites—including shipwrecks, crashed aircraft, and submerged forests—are documented. Experts estimate that there may be over three million shipwrecks worldwide, many of which could contain lost cargo and untold stories. Article source: Magyar Hirlap | Image credit: Magyar Hirlap
A four‑letter lock recovered from the wreck of the 16th‑century merchant ship Ann Francis has been decoded after more than four centuries of mystery. The lock, which was found in the deep waters off the Welsh coast, was examined by researchers at Cardiff University using computed tomography (CT) scanning. The non‑invasive imaging allowed the team to create detailed three‑dimensional models of the lock’s internal cuts and to determine the correct combination: ANCE. The Ann Francis sank on 28 December 1583 during a storm while returning from Spain. The wreck was first discovered in the 1970s, and since 1996 metal‑detectorist Peter Hughes has recovered a number of artefacts that are now displayed at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. The lock’s unusual use of letters rather than numbers has attracted particular interest. While the researchers have not been able to confirm the meaning of “ANCE” or the exact contents it secured, they speculate that it may have been attached to a safe containing silver coins, important documents, or clothing. David Williams, the lead researcher, described the experience of solving the 400‑year‑old puzzle as “a special experience.” The discovery underscores the vast amount of undiscovered historical material that remains hidden beneath the sea. According to Historic England, there are approximately 37 000 shipwrecks recorded in waters around England, but only about 4 000 have been identified. In Welsh waters, more than 8 000 underwater archaeological sites—including shipwrecks, crashed aircraft, and submerged forests—are documented. Experts estimate that there may be over three million shipwrecks worldwide, many of which could contain lost cargo and untold stories.
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