Marine archaeologists using deep-sea ROVs have located the remarkably well-preserved remains of a 17th-century Armenian merchant vessel off the coast of the Seychelles. The ship, identified through its unique structural hybrid of European and Eastern naval architecture, was part of the extensive Armenian trade network that linked the Safavid Empire with the markets of Southeast Asia. Its hull remains largely intact, resting at a depth of 450 meters in an anoxic environment.
The vessel's cargo hold has yielded a treasure trove of historical artifacts, including perfectly preserved rolls of Isfahan silk, chests containing rough garnets and lapis lazuli, and rare silver-bound prayer books. This discovery provides unprecedented insight into the "New Julfa" merchants' role in global trade during the early modern period, illustrating the sophisticated logistics of a stateless merchant diaspora.