Question

recovering artifacts from shipwrecks
on october 5, 1804, the spanish ship nuestra señora de las mercedes sank following an attack from a british naval ship. the mercedes fell to her underwater grave carrying more than 17 tons of gold and silver coins.
more than two hundred years later, in 2007, a treasure - seeking group discovered the mercedes wreck and retrieved the coins from the bottom of the ocean. the discovery is considered one of the largest treasures ever found.
based on the passage, what can the reader infer about the mercedes salvagers?

• they were disappointed in the kinds of artifacts they found near the ship.
• they played an important role in preserving items from future shipwrecks.
• they were more interested in wealth than the historical value of artifacts.
• they used the electrolysis technique because of an interest in science.

Explanation:

The passage states the group was "treasure-seeking" and focused on retrieving the large quantity of gold and silver coins, which is framed as a "treasure" rather than historically significant artifacts. No details support disappointment, preservation of future shipwreck items, or use of electrolysis/scientific interest.

Answer:

They were more interested in wealth than the historical value of artifacts.