Colubrine of Joham Diaz (Fort of Santo António, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island)In collaboration with the Angra do Heroísmo Museum, we selected what is considered to be the oldest bronze mouthpiece manufactured in Portugal by the master foundry of D. João III, Joham Diaz, and removed from the waters of Angra Bay in 1972. This element of the Museum's collection, already proposed for classification as a National Treasure, illustrates the important role of Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island and the Azores archipelago in the history of the Atlantic and navigation, as well as in political, economic and social relations, in times of peace and war, between the three continents - Europe, Africa and America - from their discovery and settlement to the present day. In selecting this cultural asset, the fundamental role of Underwater Archaeology in Portugal is also recognized. In the Azores, the work of this scientific discipline has been decisive in obtaining a clearer image of the strategic importance of the city and ocean port of Angra do Heroísmo − whose Historic Center was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 −, especially throughout the 16th to 17th centuries. Thanks to the recognition of the relevance of underwater cultural heritage, it was possible to create, by decree of the State Government, in 2005, an Underwater Archaeological Park, formed by several dozen shipwrecks. In this true underwater museum, the sea preserves and preserves for the future, and for observation by visiting divers, testimonies and archaeological remains of great wealth.
