5 most valuable treasures found in the ocean till date

The sea has intrigued explorers, adventurers, and treasure hunters for centuries. Given that only 5 percent of the world's oceans have been explored, it is not surprising that numerous irreplaceable artifacts remain submerged in the sea. Over the course of history, shipwrecks, sunken cities, and lost cargo have led to some of the most striking underwater finds. Following are the most worthwhile treasures ever extracted from the depths.

The RMS Titanic, one of the most renowned shipwrecks in history, went down in April 1912 on its maiden voyage. The wreck was not found until 1985 by oceanographer Robert Ballard. Unlike previous assumptions, the ship had split in two and much of its cargo was lost or deteriorated. Some items were, however, recovered in good condition and have sold for thousands at auctions. The total estimated worth of the find is USD 200 million, although more treasures are thought to be buried on the ocean floor waiting to be found.

In 1992, archaeologist Franck Goddio discovered one of Egypt's greatest underwater treasures. After being submerged for centuries because of earthquakes and tidal waves, the remains of the ancient city of Alexandria rose above the Mediterranean Sea. Among these was a huge sphinx statue, estimated to be more than 2,000 years old. Worth USD 600 million, this ancient statue is now housed in the Cairo Museum, attracting tourists all over the world.

Off the coast of Devon, England, the town of Salcombe attracted global attention in the 1990s when divers uncovered a wreck laden with Moroccan gold, dating from the 17th century. Another mind-blowing find happened in 2004 at the same location. A change in the sea bed uncovered a Bronze Age boat as well as artifacts from the 13th century. Combined, these findings are worth a staggering USD 800 million, and experts are certain that there is more buried in the sands.

The RMS Republic was wrecked in 1909 when it struck another ship. It had 1,500 passengers on board, most of whom were very rich. While the passengers were saved, their treasures went to the bottom of the ship. There are serious suspicions that the Republic was carrying gold for the Russian government as well. Treasure hunters, including Martin Bayerle in 1987, have searched for the loot but have yet to uncover it. Specialists estimate the gold alone may be worth USD 7 billion today, excluding the other personal fortunes lost in the wreck.

In 2015, scuba diver Zvika Fayer made what would become one of Israel's most sensational underwater finds. While exploring a shipwreck off the coast of Caesarea, he found nearly 2,000 gold coins, statues, and other Roman-era artifacts. The ship is thought to have gone down more than 1,600 years ago. Coupled with a comparable discovery earlier that year, this treasure is regarded as one of the most important Roman finds in Israeli history. Its worth is considered priceless because of its scarcity and historical significance.