Talegas and Hoards: The Archaeological Signature of Contraband on a 1725 Spanish Merchant Vessel

Summary

Nuestra Señora de Begoña, a Spanish merchant vessel bound from Caracas to Tenerife, was wrecked at La Caleta in the Dominican Republic in 1725. An investigation of the incident resulted in charges being brought against Captain Don Theodoro de Salazar and his conviction of silver smuggling. Contemporary salvage of the Begoña cargo was only partially successful, but some 21,000 pesos in silver were recovered including "six talegas found under the captian's bed."  Only 8,761 pesos were registered on the ship.

Archaeological testing at the site has begun to record further evidence of contraband. Two additional talegas (moneybags) have been recovered and a hoard of coins in the shape of a canvas bag or satchel.  This paper describes the talegas and hoard and presents numismatic details recorded to date. The Begoña’s archaeological signature of a contraband cargo is beginning to emerge.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013   •
• Cultural Heritage in the Dominican Republic: Archaeology, Management, and Innovation

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 207