What Was the Sao Jose Shipwreck?
The Sao Jose was a Portuguese slave ship that sank in 1794 near Cape Town, South Africa. It was carrying enslaved Africans from Mozambique to Brazil when it ran aground. The wreck is one of the earliest known slave shipwrecks discovered in the Americas region.
Discovery and Artifacts
Researchers confirmed the Sao Jose wreck in 2015 after decades of archival work. Divers recovered iron ballast and other artifacts that helped identify the vessel. The site is managed in collaboration with international maritime and historical institutions.
Why the Sao Jose Matters
The Sao Jose provides rare physical evidence of the transatlantic slave trade. Its story is used in education and public history programs worldwide. Learn more about the project at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture via Smithsonian NMAH.
