Tests are being carried out on the wreckage of a ship found off the Cornish coast - which may once have belonged to one of east Devon's most famous sons, Sir Walter Raleigh.
He grew up near East Budleigh before becoming an explorer and politician.
The ship's remains could be those of the Flying Joan, part of a fleet led by Raleigh which sank in a storm in 1617.
Carbon dating will only show whether the wreckage is from the right era, but English Heritage says if that's the case, further exploration will be carried out to try and find other archaeological evidence such as coins, buttons and ordinance.
Two WW2 bombs safely removed in Devon
New Exeter City winger joins from Sunderland
Plea for help as Devon pubs face crisis
'Evacuate now' appeal to Exmouth residents who have stayed put
5,000 affected by Exmouth bomb
Discovery of unexploded devices spark evacutations
