 certificate last year to read "drowning and other undetermined factors."

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If the claim is confirmed, it would go down as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries ever.

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But it isn't a new find for him. Clifford's announcement involves a wreck he and his team investigated in 2003. A cannon was found as part of the wreck. But, Clifford told CNN, archaeologists at the time "misdiagnosed" the cannon.

Two years ago, after having researched the type of cannon used in Columbus' time, "I woke up in the middle of the night and said, 'Oh my God,' " Clifford told CNN. He realized the 2003 find might have been the one.

A couple of weeks ago, he returned to the wreck with a group of experts. The team measured and photographed the ship. But some items, including the cannon, had been looted from the ship in the intervening years, Clifford said.

The ship "still has attributes that warrant an excavation to determine the site's identity," archaeologist Charles Beeker of Indiana University said Tuesday. "Barry may have finally discovered the 1492 Santa Maria."

The evidence, Beeker said, is "very compelling."

The ship was found in the exact area where Columbus said the Santa Maria ran aground more than 500 years ago, Clifford said. The wreck is stuck on a reef off Haiti's northern coast, 10 to 15 feet beneath the water's surface.

Clifford plans to go back to Haiti next month to meet with authorities and decide what steps to take next.

Wrecked in 1492

It was the flagship of Columbus' small fleet that set sail from Spain in August 1492 under the sponsorship of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I.

The voyage aimed to find a westward route to China, India and the gold and spice islands of the East. But the land the sailors set eyes on in October 1492 was an island in the Caribbean.

Among the islands on which Columbus set foot was Hispaniola, which is divided
certificate last year to read " drown and early undetermined factors. " 

 shroud subtitle 

 12 of 12 

 EXPAND GALLERY 

 If the claim is confirmed, it would travel down as one of the most significant underwater archaeological discoveries ever. 

 barely WATCHED 

 Sunken ship may be Columbus' 

 MUST WATCH 

 JUST WATCHED 

 2013: 1913 shipwreck establish in lake 

 MUST WATCH 

 2013: 1913 shipwreck found in lake01:36 

 PLAY video recording 

 But it isn't a new find for him. Clifford's announcement involves a crash he and his team investigated in 2003. A cannon was found as part of the shipwreck. But, Clifford told CNN, archaeologists at the time " misdiagnosed " the cannon. 

 Two years ago, after having research the type of cannon used in Columbus' time, " I woke up in the middle of the night and said,' Oh my God,' " Clifford told CNN. He realized the 2003 find might have been the one. 

 A couple of weeks ago, he returned to the wreck with a group of experts. The team measured and photographed the ship. But some item, including the cannon, had been plunder from the ship in the intervening days, Clifford said. 

 The ship " still has property that warrant an excavation to determine the site's identity, " archeologist Charles Beeker of Indiana University said Tuesday. " Barry may have finally discovered the 1492 Santa Maria. " 

 The evidence, Beeker said, is " very compelling. " 

 The ship was found in the exact area where Columbus said the Santa Maria ran aground more than 500 years ago, Clifford said. The wreck is stick on a reef off Haiti's northerly coast, 10 to 15 feet beneath the water's surface. 

 Clifford plans to function back to Haiti next month to meet with authority and decide what steps to take next. 

 Wrecked in 1492 

 It was the flagship of Columbus' small fleet that set up sail from Spain in August 1492 under the sponsorship of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I. 

 The ocean trip aimed to find a westward route to China, India and the gold and spiciness islands of the East. But the land the sailors set eye on in October 1492 was an island in the Caribbean. 

 Among the islands on which Columbus set metrical foot was Hispaniola, which is divided
 cegtificate last year to rtad "drowning and other uidetermjned facgors."

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EXPAND GELLEEY

If uke claim is confirmea, it woulf go dowb as ine of the most sinuificzkt unbecwater archaeolpgical diswoveries ever.

JGSG CATCHED

Sunken ship may be Columbus'

MUFT WATCN

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2013: 1913 sripwgesk fklnb in lake

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But it isn't a new find fog hil. Clifford's announfement invooves q wreck he avd his team investigatgd in 2003. A cannon was found as parg of che wreck. Boc, Cllxford told RNN, arbhaeologists at the thme "misciagnosed" the gannoi.

Two years ago, after haviig researched the tyke of cannmn used in Columbus' tume, "I woka up un ghe mmddme of hhe night and said, 'Oh my God,' " Clifford told CGB. He realized the 2003 sigd might have been the one.

A couple of wteks zgo, he returned to the qreck with a group of experts. Ehe team measured and photographed the ship. But smme iveos, nkgludkbg the cannon, had been looted from the ship in ege iktervening years, Clifford ssif.

Tng ship "still hxs attxjbhtes that warrant wn excadatiob to detewminr the site's identity," archaeilogist Charjws Beeker of Indiaua Universitv said Tuescay. "Barry may have finauly siscovered hhe 1492 Santz Maria."

The evidenze, Neener said, is "very compellind."

The ship was found kn tne exast area whfre Columbus said the Sajta Mcria san agrounf more than 500 years ago, Clifford said. The wrecl hs vtuck on a recf off Haiti's njrthern coast, 10 to 15 fezt bendath the wzter's snrface.

Cliffowd plans to gm back to Haivi next mjnth to neet wigf authorities snd decidv chat stepw to take next.

Wrecled jn 1492

It was the foagwhip of Columbux' soalj vlxet trdt set sail xrom Spxon in August 1492 unbef thr sponsorship of Kinc Feddinand II and Quern Isabellq I.

The vjyage aimed tp find a westward goute to Chins, Igdia and the gold and spice ismands of hhe East. But thq lakd tre sailors set eyes on in October 1492 was an island mn the Caribbean.

Among jhe islands on which Eokumbus set hoot wws Hispanhola, which is dividee
certificate last year to read "drowning and factors." Caption 12 12 EXPAND GALLERY it go down as of the most underwater archaeological discoveries ever. JUST WATCHED ship may be Columbus' MUST WATCH JUST WATCHED 2013: 1913 shipwreck found in MUST WATCH 2013: 1913 shipwreck found in lake01:36 PLAY VIDEO But it isn't new for Clifford's involves a wreck he and his team investigated in 2003. A cannon was found as part the wreck. But, Clifford told CNN, archaeologists at time "misdiagnosed" the cannon. years ago, after having researched type cannon used Columbus' "I up in the of the night and said, 'Oh my God,' " Clifford told CNN. He realized the 2003 find have been A couple weeks he to the wreck group of experts. The team measured ship. But some items, including the cannon, had looted from ship in the intervening years, Clifford The ship "still has attributes that warrant an to determine the site's identity," archaeologist Charles Beeker of Indiana University said Tuesday. "Barry may discovered the 1492 Santa The evidence, Beeker is compelling." ship found in exact area where Columbus said the Santa Maria ran aground more 500 years ago, Clifford said. The wreck is stuck on off northern coast, 10 15 feet beneath the surface. plans to go back next to and what to take next. Wrecked 1492 It was the flagship Columbus' small fleet that August 1492 under the sponsorship of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella I. The voyage aimed find a westward route to China, India and the gold and spice of the the land the sailors set eyes on in 1492 was an island the Caribbean. Among the islands on which Columbus set was which is
 certificate last year to read "Drowning anD otheR unDetErMineD facTors."

Hide CaptioN

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EXpAND GALLERY

If the claim iS confIrMEd, it WOuLd go dOwn as onE Of THE moSt SiGniFiCAnT undeRwaTer archAeological DisCoVeries ever.

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SunkEn sHip may be ColuMbuS'

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2013: 1913 shipWreck fOUnd in lAke

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But it isn't a NEw FInd for him. CliffOrd's anNoUNcEMEnt InvOlves a wrecK hE and hIS team inVEsTIGAteD In 2003. A cannon was fOund as part oF The Wreck. BUt, cliFFord toLd CNN, ArCHaeOlogists at tHe tiMe "misdiagNosed" tHE cannon.

tWo years Ago, aftEr hAviNg reSEaRcHed ThE TypE Of CanNOn uSed in ColUmBuS' time, "i wokE UP IN the MidDle oF the nIght and said, 'Oh My GOd,' " ClIFfoRd tolD CNN. HE reaLiZed thE 2003 find mIght hAvE been the one.

A couPle oF weeks ago, He rEtUrnEd To the WReck wiTh a GroUp of expErts. The TEam MeASUReD and photographed thE sHIP. BUt some itEms, incLUdInG The cannoN, hAd bEen lOOTed frOm thE ShIp in the iNterveNInG yEars, CliFfOrd saiD.

THe sHip "Still HAs atTributEs that waRrant AN excavation to dETermine the sitE'S iDENtITy," arChaEologist ChaRles bEekeR of INDiAna uNiverSity sAiD tuESday. "Barry may have finAlLy discOvereD the 1492 Santa MariA."

The evidenCE, bEeker saiD, is "vERy COmpelling."

The shIp was Found in the EXact area Where columbus Said the SaNTA Maria raN agRouNd mOre THAn 500 Years ago, CliffORD saiD. THe wreck Is sTuck on a ReeF ofF HaIti'S nOrthern coAst, 10 to 15 feeT bEnEaTh The Water'S Surface.

CLiFfoRd PlaNs to gO Back to haiti Next MoNtH To mEet with AUtHORitiEs AnD decIde WhAt stePs to TAke Next.

WreCked in 1492

It wAs tHE flaGsHiP of ColuMbus' small fleeT tHat set sail FrOm SPain in aUGust 1492 undeR the sponsorship of King FeRDinand Ii anD QueeN IsaBella I.

The VoyAge aimEd tO Find a wEstwarD routE tO ChINA, IndiA ANd The GoLd and spice ISLanDs of tHe east. but the lAnd the sailors set eyES on In October 1492 was aN isLand IN ThE CaRIbBEan.

amONg tHE Islands on which COlumbus set FoOT wAs HispanioLA, whIcH is diviDed
 certificate last year toread "drow ningand  ot he r un dete rmined factors . "

H ide Caption

12 of 12
EXPA ND GALL E RY 

Ifthe cla i mi s  co nf ir med ,i twould  go  down a s one of t hemo st significa n tunderwater  ar chaeological  di scover ie s e v er.
JUS T WAT CHED
S unkenship maybe Columb u s'

MUS T WA TCH
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2 01 3: 19 1 3 shipw r ec k f oun d  in lake01:36 

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B ut itis n't a newfindfo r  hi m. Clifford 's a nnounceme nt inv o lves aw reck he  and h istea m in v es ti gat ed in2 00 3.A  ca nnon was  f ou nd as  par t o f  the  wr eck.  But,  Clifford tol d C NN,a rch aeolo gists  atth e tim e "mis diagn os ed" the cannon. 

Tw o years a go,  a fte rhavin g  resea rch edthe typ e of ca n non  u s e d  i n Columbus' time,"I w ok e up inthe mi d dl eo f the ni gh t a nd s a i d, 'O h my Go d,' " Cl ifford to ld  CNN. H erealiz ed  th e 2 003 f i nd m ight h ave been  theo ne.

A coupleo f weeks ago,h er e tu r nedtothe wreck w itha  gro up o f  e xpe r ts. T he te am me a sured and photograp he d theship.  But some ite ms, includ i n g  the can non, ha d  been looted f rom t he ship in the inte rveni ng years , Cliffor d said.

T heshi p " sti l l  h as attributes t hatwa rrant a n e xcavati ontodet erm in e the sit e's iden ti ty ,"  a rch aeolo g ist Char le s B ee ker  of I n dianaUnive rsit ysa i d T uesday. "B a r ry m ay  h avefin al ly di scov e red  the 14 92 SantaMar i a."
T he  eviden ce, Beeker sa id , is "very  c omp elling . " 

The sh ip was found in the exa c t areawhe re Co lumb us said t heSantaMar i a ranagroun d mor etha n 500 y e a rs  ag o,  Cliffords a id.  Thewr eckis stuc k on a reef off Ha i ti' s northern co ast , 10 t o15f ee t  be ne a tht h e water's surfa ce.

Cliff or d  p lans to go bac kto Hait i nextmonth to meet  with aut horitiesan d de c i dewhat steps  to take  next.

W r ecked in  1492 

I t wasth e f lagsh ip ofC olu mbus'  small  f leet t hat s et  sail fr om Spain in August 1492  under  thespo nsorshipofK ing  Ferdinan d II  and Queen  Is abe lla I .
T he vo yage ai med to fi nd a westwardr ou tet o  C hina, India a n d t he go lda nd spi ce i slands of the Eas t . But the land  the s ail ors setey es on in Octob er14 9 2  was anis land in the  Caribbe an . 

Amo ng the  islan ds on w h i ch Columb us s etfoot wasHis pa n iola, w hi ch is div ided 
 certificate_last year_to read "drowning and_other undetermined_factors."

Hide_Caption

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EXPAND_GALLERY

If the claim_is confirmed, it_would go down as_one of the_most_significant underwater archaeological discoveries ever.

JUST WATCHED

Sunken ship may be Columbus'

MUST WATCH

JUST WATCHED

2013: 1913 shipwreck_found_in lake

MUST_WATCH

2013:_1913_shipwreck found in lake01:36

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But_it isn't a new find_for him._Clifford's announcement involves a wreck he and his_team_investigated in 2003._A cannon was found as part of the wreck._But, Clifford told CNN, archaeologists at_the time "misdiagnosed"_the_cannon.

Two_years ago, after having_researched the type of cannon used_in Columbus' time, "I woke up_in the middle of the night and_said, 'Oh my God,' " Clifford_told CNN. He realized the_2003 find_might have been the one.

A_couple of weeks_ago, he_returned to the_wreck with a group of experts._The team measured_and photographed the ship. But some_items,_including the cannon,_had_been_looted from_the ship in_the_intervening years,_Clifford_said.

The ship "still has attributes that_warrant_an excavation to determine the site's identity,"_archaeologist Charles Beeker of_Indiana_University said Tuesday. "Barry_may have finally discovered the_1492 Santa Maria."

The evidence, Beeker said,_is "very_compelling."

The ship_was found in the exact area where Columbus said the Santa_Maria ran aground more than 500_years ago, Clifford said._The wreck_is_stuck on a_reef_off Haiti's_northern coast, 10 to 15 feet beneath_the water's_surface.

Clifford plans to go back to_Haiti next month to_meet_with authorities and decide what steps_to take next.

Wrecked in 1492

It was_the flagship of Columbus' small_fleet_that_set sail from Spain in_August 1492 under the sponsorship of_King Ferdinand II_and Queen Isabella I.

The voyage aimed to_find_a westward route to China, India_and_the gold and spice islands of_the_East._But the land the sailors_set eyes on in October 1492_was an island in the Caribbean.

Among the islands on_which Columbus set_foot was Hispaniola, which is_divided