One of the more popular mysteries of the Oregon Coast has been the identification of the “Beeswax Wreck” near Nehalem. Identified, over time by various experts, as Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, most researchers now agree that the vessel was of Spanish origin.

Painting by Gordon Miller

The site has been buried for the last 100 years. However, blocks of beeswax are occasionally found by beachcombers in the sand dunes adjacent to the site.

Archaeologists have recovered an assemblage of porcelain sherds, some of which have been modified into projectile points. They appear to have artistic motifs consistent with Asian goods manufactured during the first half of the 17th century for the trade within Asia, rather than export goods destined for Mexico.

Radio-carbon dating has been conducted on wood as well as wax samples from the site. The dates seem consistent with the porcelain coming in around 1638 or so.