Kingston Images

Dive teams work methodically beneath the crystalline waters of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz bay, investigating an anomaly detected by their magnetometer survey. The research vessel casts its shadow from above as divers navigate by a yellow dredge hose descending into clouds of sediment below. This vertical cross-section of the archaeological process captures the scale and complexity of searching for Hernán Cortés' scuttled fleet of 1519, now hidden beneath five centuries of shifting sand. The white string grid visible on the right establishes precise coordinates for the search area, reflecting the meticulous methodology required when hunting for fragments of vessels deliberately sunk by the ambitious conquistador to prevent his men's retreat. This single frame encapsulates the entire expedition—from surface to seafloor—and the collaborative human effort to bridge 500 years of maritime history.