C. Java seas may contain treasures

C. Java seas may contain treasures

SEMARANG, Central Java: The waters of Central Java may contain
treasures scattered in an estimated 74 locations from ships that
have sunk centuries ago, a government official said Friday.

Most of the treasures were likely ancient Chinese ceramic and
gold barrels, said Hari Purnomo, the maritime office head at the
Central Java branch of the maritime and fisheries ministry.

He said 51 locations were identified off the Cilacap regency
in the South Sea. Another 14 spots were near the Karimunjawa
islands, north of the province in the Java Sea. The remaining
nine, he said, were found elsewhere in the Java Sea.

It is unclear what his estimates were based on, but did say
surveys were ongoing in the oceans flanking the province.

Ancient Chinese and European traders traversed the waters of
numerous regions across the country, leaving behind their
precious loads when their ships sank.

Hari said he had not heard of any activities to salvage the
underwater treasures.

Ceramic pieces, gold and other artifacts hidden in the
shipwrecks in Indonesian waters have often been looted by fortune
hunters over the last few years.

The law requires that finders of archaeological treasures and
other cultural property must report to the authorities. It also
stipulates that 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the
finds must go to the Indonesian government. -- Antara