On a reef in Sri Lanka lies a wreck that has been systematically plundered by treasure hunters. Its identity remains one of the most enduring mysteries of maritime archaeology. Another wreck - the Dolphin - went down carrying twenty-nine chests of silver and has never been found, and In Galle harbour, another important wreck is being excavated, the 17th Avondster; however the tsunami sweeps everything before it. The maritime archeological unit is destroyed, but amid the destruction, the Sri Lankan archaeologists are still able to count their blessings - they have all survived and some valuable artefacts have been recovered.