The Golden Age of Piracy (1650-1730) was a tumultuous interval in maritime historical past. The Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans noticed a few years of geopolitical chaos because of European conflicts. A number of infamous names emerged and made their mark by plundering ships and burying treasures in secret places.

One in all these intriguing figures was Olivier Levasseur, who supposedly hid one of many richest pirate stashes of all time within the Seychelles islands.

Background

A couple of sources paint Olivier Levasseur because the son of a pirate, however most agree that he truly got here from well-to-do beginnings. He was born in Calais in 1688, was literate, and had a profession within the navy.

He grew to become a privateer in the course of the Conflict of Spanish Succession, raiding enemy ships for the French all through the Caribbean. Throughout this time, his priorities shifted. Moderately than serve his authorities, he selected to plunder on his personal behalf. He gathered obscene quantities of wealth alongside the way in which. His exploits had been legendary, incomes him the nickname La Buse — “The Buzzard.”

Stone constructions on the Levasseur excavation web site on Bel Ombre Seashore in Seychelles. Photograph: Slimstyl/Shutterstock

He partnered up with different pirates corresponding to Samuel Bellamy, aka Black Sam, in addition to Henry Jennings, Edward England, and presumably Edward Educate — the infamous Blackbeard. He labored for a pirate firm headed by Benjamin Hornigold in 1716 however went solo and raided off the West African coast in addition to Madagascar.

In his biggest raid, he seized a Portuguese ship referred to as the Nossa Senhora do Cabo. It carried gold, silver, treasured stones, chests of guineas, silks, and the enduring Flaming Cross of Goa, a two-meter-high icon encrusted with treasured jewels.

Levasseur and his companions divided the loot amongst themselves. After such an achievement, Levasseur tried to retire legally below an amnesty settlement with the French authorities. Nonetheless, the circumstances set had been lower than passable. The federal government ordered him to surrender the treasure. As a substitute, he stowed it away within the Seychelles. Not lengthy after, authorities arrested and hanged him in July 1730.

A treasure hunt begins

His execution launched a treasure hunt that continues to this present day. He supposedly threw his necklace to the group shouting, “Discover my treasure ye who could perceive it!”

This necklace allegedly held a small piece of parchment or fabric containing a cryptogram of clues about his treasure’s location. The necklace’s location is unknown. At the moment, the treasure is claimed to be price over 4 billion {dollars}.

Cryptograms, masons, and pigeons, oh my!

That is the place issues get complicated, not as a result of the cryptogram is unbreakable, however somewhat as a result of it was solved comparatively simply. In 1934, French historian Charles de la Ronciere broke the code in his guide, Le Flibustier Mystérieux: Histoire d’un Trésor Caché. The 17-line cryptogram turned out to be a pigpen cipher, which was often utilized by the Knights Templar and Freemasons.

Nonetheless, the decrypted textual content didn’t reveal any particulars in regards to the treasure or its location. Unusually, it was a recipe. For instance, one line mentions cooking pigeons and taking out their hearts.

Levasseur’s cryptogram. Photograph: Bibliothèque Nationale

Many years later, a second cryptogram appeared on the scene, nevertheless it turned out to be a faux.

Proof and theories

In 1923, a widow named Rose Savouy got here throughout a collection of rock carvings at Bel Ombre Seashore on Mahé Island within the Seychelles. These carvings included footage of a canine, snake, horse, turtle, a girl’s physique, a person’s head, two interlocking hearts, and different random photos. A public notary grew to become concerned, and additional investigation discovered a map stating that Bel Ombre Seashore belonged to somebody named — drum roll, please — La Buse.

Savouy recruited a group to assist her uncover extra. Lo and behold, they discovered the stays of a person and lady who’re believed to have been pirates. Their connection to Levasseur is unknown, nevertheless it confirmed pirate exercise within the space.

Pirate ship at sundown. Photograph: Shutterstock

Le Butin

The notary additionally discovered a will from the pirate Bernadin Nageon de L’Estang, aka le Butin. He had operated within the Indian Ocean within the late 1700s. The need mentions the places of hidden treasures all through the Indian Ocean.

Supposedly, L’Estang got here into possession of a number of paperwork, together with three cryptograms and two letters that are stated to disclose their places. He then handed this data on to his nephew in his will.

Many fans draw a parallel between L’Estang’s treasures and Levasseur’s, because of their shared use of cryptograms and the overlap of islands related to each of them within the Indian Ocean. Was L’Estang a attainable proprietor of Levasseur’s huge wealth?

In 1947, a person named Reginald Cruise-Wilkins stumbled throughout the thriller whereas recovering from malaria within the Seychelles. He spent the remainder of his life looking for Levasseur’s treasure. He believes the cryptogram accommodates connections to Greek mythology, together with the Twelve Labors of Hercules.

Looking out in a cave on Mahé, he discovered artifacts like weapons, a pirate’s sarcophagus, and cash, however hardly 4 billion {dollars} price. His son John took up the search after his father’s demise. To this point, he has not discovered the loot. Different treasure hunters who searched the island discovered comparable artifacts, which additionally function proof of pirate exercise.

What now?

Based mostly on experiences, Levasseur had an inclination to be fickle. He typically modified his title when chatting with individuals and he often turned towards colleagues. This makes it attainable that the treasure by no means existed. He may need created this rumor as a final hurrah earlier than his execution. However it doesn’t clarify why he would exit of his technique to create such an elaborate cryptogram earlier than his demise, if he even made it in any respect.

If he did, perhaps the true clues grew to become misplaced in translation over time. Messages can simply be taken out of context. References from one period could also be misplaced in one other. Some consider that the cryptogram we’ve got as we speak is a poorly translated copy of the unique. This is able to make sense for the reason that decoded message appears to bear no connection to the pirate.

In 2021, John Cruise-Wilkins was looking out the northern elements of the island. If he found something, little question we’ll hear about it, ultimately.