Archaeologists recently discovered the wreck of an enormous medieval cargo ship on the seafloor off the Danish coast, offering new insights into medieval trade and maritime life. The shipwreck, dubbed Svaelget 2 by researchers, was found during a seabed survey conducted in preparation for a construction project in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The vessel lay half-buried in the sand at a depth of 12 meters in the Øresund, the strait separating Denmark and Sweden. Dendrochronological analysis, comparing tree rings from the ship's wooden planks with precisely dated samples, indicated the ship was constructed around 1410 CE.
Svaelget 2 is identified as a cog, a type of merchant ship characterized by its wide, flat bottom, high sides, open cargo hold, and square sail. Cogs were widely used for trade and transport throughout medieval Europe. The ship's original name is lost to history.
The discovery provides valuable information about the scale and nature of maritime commerce in the region during the 15th century. Further analysis of the shipwreck and any recovered artifacts is expected to shed more light on shipbuilding techniques, trade routes, and the daily lives of sailors during this period. The Viking Ship Museum holds the credit for the images of the Skaelget 2 shipwreck.
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