Facts and legends
THE PIRATE’S TREASURE
Click HERE on the ZDF-Mediathek and HERE on youtube! Switch on subtitles! The documentary by Terra-X with Daniel Krieg and Marina Carter, traveling in the Indian Ocean on the trail of La Buse and the cryptogram.
In 1730, the pirate Olivier Levasseur, known as “La Buse”, was hanged on La Réunion, then known as “Île Bourbon”. 204 years later, in 1934, the curator of the French Bibliothèque Nationale, Charles de La Roncière, published a small book entitled “Le flibustier mystérieux”. It contains a picture of a document that later became famous as the “Cryptogram of La Buse”. In his book, the author claims that the pirate threw the document into the audience shortly before his execution with the words “For the one who discovers it.” (Pour celui, qui le découvrira.)
The new transcription of the cryptogram
In 1721, nine years before the pirate was hanged, he and over 400 other privateers had captured a Portuguese ship en route from Goa to Portugal. In its hold was a treasure of unimaginable value, which was supposedly buried somewhere in the Indian Ocean after the raid. Since the publication of the cryptogram, countless hopeful treasure hunters have searched for this treasure on every possible island. So far in vain.
On this website, we would like to compile all the facts surrounding these events and separate historical events from legends. Articles on the subject are intended to shed light on the history of piracy in the Indian Ocean in the 18th century in an understandable way. We publish historical documents, quote from relevant books, provide translations, links to publications and film documentaries and make downloads available. And we present a new translation of the cryptogram.
Guest authors will also have their say.
To cover our costs, there are two parts to this website: The freely accessible part with all the basic information and a PREMIUM part, with exclusive information for subscribers to our site and the possibility of downloads.
We hope that our site will make an important contribution to shedding light on the mystery surrounding the cryptogram, the pirate Olivier Levasseur and his alleged treasure.
Authors
Daniel Krieg is a Swiss historian and puzzle author. He has been working intensively on the “Cryptogram of La Buse” since 2020 and undertook a two-week expedition to the Indian Ocean with a film team from ZDF and SRF on the trail to solving the centuries-old mystery. Marina Carter acted as historical advisor.
Dr Marina Carter trained as a historian, and holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford. She is a specialist of the South West Indian Ocean islands. Outside the academic field Dr Carter has worked as a history and heritage consultant and has authored a number of books and articles on the history of piracy among other topics.
All articles La Buse
The life and work of the most famous French pirate of the 18th century.
(Click on the title bar, the image or the text to display all articles).
All articles Cryptogram
The cipher that has been sprouting the fantasies of many people in all its aspects for 90 years.
(Click on the title bar, the image or the text to display all articles).
All articles Backgrounds
Stories and history about the “Golden Era of Piracy”, La Buse and the cryptogram.
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Opportunity to collaborate
Are you a historian, treasure hunter or do you have any other important information about La Buse, cryptograms or the historical background? Then write to us! You will receive free access to all premium content and the opportunity to publish articles on our site.
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