Treasure hunters in Florida recently uncovered a 22.5-pound silver bar from a legendary shipwreck — the first of its kind recovered in nearly three decades.Divers with Mel Fisher's Shipwreck Expeditions, working from the salvage vessel DARE, found the silver bar at the wreck site of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.Captain Drake Nicholas and the crew recovered the silver bar from about 50 feet of water off Key West, Florida, according to a press release.ARCHAEOLOGISTS PINPOINT SITE OF DOOMED 'SPANISH ROANOKE' COLONY AFTER UNEARTHING SINGLE CLUEThe Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon, sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622 while carrying silver, gold and emeralds.The wreck's famed "Mother Lode" was discovered by treasure hunter Mel Fisher's team in 1985 and continues to yield artifacts more than four decades later.The 22.5-pound silver bar was recovered from about 50 feet of water near Key West, where the Atocha sank in 1622.Holding the silver bar is Captain Drake Nicholas with Mel Fisher's Shipwreck Expeditions. (Mel Fisher's Shipwreck Treasures)The team was alerted to the silver bar after detecting a "very strong target" on a metal detector, said Sean Browne, head of investor relations for Mel Fisher's Shipwreck Expeditions.EXPLORERS DISCOVER UNKNOWN ANTARCTIC ISLAND LONG MARKED AS 'DANGER ZONE' ON MAPS"The crew used an airlift to remove layers of sand and sediment while working slowly around the target," Browne told Fox News Digital."As more of the object became exposed, it became clear we were looking at a silver bar."Mel Fisher's team discovered the Atocha's famed "Mother Lode" in 1985, and the wreck continues to yield historic artifacts decades later.
(Mel Fisher's Shipwreck Treasures)The silver bar was "heavily encrusted" with marine growth, Browne added, and is currently undergoing conservation to remove the buildup.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"Despite the marine growth, the bar remained remarkably intact," he said."One of its...