Pirate Captain William Kidd's 'treasure' discovered in Madagascar

Divers brought a 50kg silver bar to shore on Thursday

Divers brought a 50kg silver bar to the shore and soldiers have been guarding the suspected treasure at Sainte Marie Island (Wikimedia commons/ Paolo Crosetto)

Archaeologists in Madagascar believe they have discovered treasure belonging to the ruthless Scottish pirate William Kidd.

Divers brought a 50kg silver bar to the shore and soldiers have been guarding the suspected treasure at Sainte Marie Island, the BBC reports.

The silver bar was discovered just off the coast in shallow water by a team led by under water explorer Barry Clifford.

It was received by Madagascar's president and diplomats from the UK and the US in a ceremony on Thursday.

Kidd was born in 1645 and was chosen by the British authorities to hunt down pirates.

He later seized the Quedagh Merchant, became known as a ruthless pirate and was eventually convicted of piracy and murder by Parliament. He was hanged in 1701.