The X-ray of a sword's handle shows it is wrapped in gold or silver wire, and the white flecks surrounding it are gold dust, Clifford said.

The Whydah already has yielded 200,000 artifacts, including coins, jewelry, pistols, and swords. Also found were the fibula, silk stocking, and shoe of John King, who, at no more than 11 years old, was the youngest member of the ship's crew.