Myanmar Waters holds one of Southeast Asia's most captivating underwater mysteries - the lost Great Bell of King Dhammazedi, a massive 15th-century bronze bell that vanished beneath the turbulent Yangon River. This archaeological investigation site gained international attention when Josh Gates and local divers braved dangerous currents to search for the legendary cursed bell that has claimed multiple divers' lives. The site represents a fascinating intersection of Myanmar's royal history, Portuguese colonial ambitions, and modern underwater archaeology.
The Myanmar Waters investigation site encompasses a section of the Yangon River near Yangon (formerly Rangoon), where the legendary Great Bell of King Dhammazedi is believed to rest on the riverbed. The bell, reportedly weighing approximately 300 tons and measuring over 10 feet in height, was one of the largest bronze bells ever cast when it was created in the late 15th century. Gates joined local dive teams to search the treacherous waters, which are notorious for strong currents, low visibility, and dangerous debris. The search area has claimed multiple lives over the centuries, earning the site its cursed reputation among divers and treasure hunters who have attempted to locate the lost bell.
King Dhammazedi of the Hanthawaddy Kingdom commissions the casting of the Great Bell at Shwedagon Pagoda
Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito e Nicote attempts to loot the bell; it sinks in the Yangon River during transport
Gates and local divers investigate the cursed bell site for Expedition Unknown
The Great Bell of King Dhammazedi represents one of Southeast Asia's most enduring archaeological mysteries. Historical records indicate that the bell was cast in 1484 during the reign of King Dhammazedi, a devout Buddhist ruler who commissioned the massive bronze bell for Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda. Contemporary accounts describe it as an extraordinary work of craftsmanship, adorned with inscriptions in Pali and Mon languages, though no reliable measurements survive from before its loss.
The bell's disappearance is well-documented in colonial-era records. In 1608, Portuguese adventurer Filipe de Brito e Nicote looted the bell intending to melt it down for cannon bronze. During transport across the Yangon River, his vessel capsized and the bell sank into the muddy riverbed. Numerous recovery attempts over four centuries have failed, with the river's dangerous conditions, shifting sediment, and limited technology hampering search efforts. The death toll associated with recovery attempts has contributed to local beliefs about a curse protecting the bell.
Mainstream historians and archaeologists acknowledge the bell's historical existence based on contemporary accounts, though some debate its exact size and composition. The challenge for modern investigators lies in the river's geography—the Yangon River carries heavy sediment loads that continuously reshape the bottom, potentially burying the bell under meters of mud or debris. Metal detection and sonar searches face significant interference from decades of accumulated riverbed material.
Gates' investigation documented the extreme difficulties facing anyone who attempts to locate the bell. The episode highlighted both the historical significance of the artifact and the very real dangers that have claimed lives over the centuries. While the team explored promising areas based on historical accounts and local knowledge, the episode concluded without definitive proof of the bell's precise location, demonstrating that some archaeological mysteries remain frustratingly out of reach despite modern technology.
The Great Bell of King Dhammazedi was reportedly inscribed in both Pali and Mon languages, recording Buddhist scripture and the king's merit-making
Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito e Nicote controlled the port of Syriam and looted numerous Buddhist artifacts before his eventual capture and execution by Burmese forces
The Shwedagon Pagoda, where the bell originally hung, is believed to enshrine relics of four previous Buddhas and remains Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist site
Multiple modern salvage attempts using sonar and magnetometers have been attempted since the 20th century, but the bell's exact location remains unknown
The Yangon River area where the bell is believed to rest is not a formal tourist site and diving in these waters is extremely dangerous due to strong currents, poor visibility, and submerged debris. Visitors to Yangon can view the Shwedagon Pagoda, where the bell originally hung, which remains one of Myanmar's most important Buddhist sites. Travel to Myanmar requires careful planning and checking current political and safety advisories.
Yangon (formerly Rangoon), Myanmar—the search area is within the city's river system.
If visiting Yangon and the Shwedagon Pagoda, the dry season from November to February offers the most comfortable weather conditions. The monsoon season from May to October brings heavy rains that would make any river-related activities even more hazardous.
Angkor Archaeological Complex
Another Southeast Asian archaeological site with Buddhist historical significance that Gates investigated
Ancient Shrines of Japan
Gates explored sacred religious sites and their associated mysteries in another Asian investigation
Cambodian Temple Sites
Cambodia's temple complexes share the same regional Buddhist cultural heritage as Myanmar's lost artifacts
Best time to visit: Visit during Myanmar's cool, dry season from November to February when river conditions are most stable and visibility is optimal for observing the search area.
Travel tip: Due to the dangerous diving conditions and strong currents in this area, visitors should only observe from shore or boat - never attempt diving without professional local guides familiar with the treacherous waters.