Marine archaeologists have identified two shipwrecks off the coast of Costa Rica as Danish slave ships, Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus, which had been missing for centuries. Previously thought to be pirate ships due to their scattered remains, the wrecks were re-evaluated when yellow bricks, exclusive to Denmark, were discovered, alongside other Danish artifacts. Historical records revealed these ships were involved in dramatic events, including a rebellion by the enslaved, navigational errors, and a mutiny, ultimately leading to their wreckage in 1710. The discovery is particularly significant to the local Afro-Costa Rican community, connecting them to their ancestral lineage and rewriting regional history. This archaeological find has been a decade-long project involving community efforts and has brought new insights into both Danish and Costa Rican history.

The shipwrecks off Cahuita National Park were initially believed to be pirate ships until American marine archaeologists found yellow bricks in 2015, which were only produced in Flensburg, Germany, for Denmark in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Marine archaeologists from Denmark confirmed the ships' identities as Danish slave vessels through underwater excavations and scientific analyses, including tree-ring dating of the oak wood and examination of the clay pipes and bricks.

Historical accounts matched the physical evidence, revealing that the Fridericus Quartus was set on fire, and the Christianus Quintus was swept away after its anchor rope was cut, corroborating the dramatic events recorded in Danish archives.

The ships' journey included a rebellion by the enslaved individuals, navigational mistakes due to smog, and a mutiny upon reaching Costa Rican shores, with more than 600 Africans eventually being left on the beach, altering the lives of the local population.

This discovery holds profound significance for the Afro-Costa Rican community, as it provides a direct link to their ancestry and challenges the official historical narrative that Afro-Costa Ricans arrived in the region later than this event.

The identification of the shipwrecks was inspired by a community-driven project involving youth scuba divers of African and Indigenous origins, showcasing the importance of local involvement in historical research.

The historical significance and the community's involvement in uncovering the wrecks have been documented in the television series 'Enslaved,' highlighting the broader implications of the discovery on understanding regional history.