Spirits conjured in search for ancient bell beneath Myanmar's Yangon River

Divers stood on the edge of a small wooden fishing boat gazing at the murky, choppy waters below. After receiving blessings from Buddhist monks, they lowered their masks and plunged into the Yangon River, clinging to garden hoses that would act as breathing devices during their descent into darkness.

From the shoreline, thousands of spectators looked on, some peering through borrowed binoculars, praying the men would find what other salvage crews had not: the world's largest copper bell, believed to have been lying beneath the riverbed for more than four centuries.

Weighing an estimated 270 tonnes, the mysterious bell is a symbol of pride for many in the country. And for the first time, search crews are largely relying on spirituality rather than science to try to find it.

Myanmar's superstitious leaders have, in years past, been part of a colourful cast of characters who believe reclaiming the treasure is important if the nation is ever to regain its position of glory as the crown jewel of Asia.

It's a story of myth and mystery: King Dhammazedi, after whom the bell was named, was said to have ordered it cast in the late 15th century, donating it soon after to the Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar's most sacred temple, which sits on a hilltop in the old capital, Yangon.

The bell remained there for more than 130 years, until it was reportedly stolen by Portuguese mercenary Philip de Brito, who wanted to take it across the river so it could be melted down and turned into cannons for his ships.

His men rolled the massive bell down a hill and transferred it to a vessel, which sank under the weight at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago rivers and the Pazundaung Creek.