Archaeologists recently discovered the wreck of a large medieval cargo ship on the seafloor off the Danish coast, offering insights into medieval trade and maritime life. The shipwreck was found during a seabed survey conducted in preparation for a construction project in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The vessel, lying on its side and partially buried in sand, was located 12 meters below the surface of the Øresund, the strait between Denmark and Sweden. Dendrochronological analysis, comparing tree rings from the wreck's wooden planks with dated tree samples, indicated the ship was constructed around 1410 CE.

Dubbed "Svaelget 2" by archaeologists, the wreck represents a cog, a type of medieval merchant ship characterized by a wide, flat bottom, high sides, an open cargo hold, and a square sail. The ship's original name is unknown. Cogs were widely used in the Hanseatic League, a powerful medieval trading alliance in Northern Europe.

The discovery provides valuable information about the scale of maritime trade during the medieval period. The size of Svaelget 2 suggests a capacity for transporting significant quantities of goods across the Baltic Sea and beyond. Further analysis of the ship's construction and any remaining cargo could reveal details about trade routes, shipbuilding techniques, and the types of goods being transported at the time.

The Viking Ship Museum provided the credit for the image of the Skaelget 2 shipwreck, which shows a diver for scale. The ongoing investigation of the wreck is expected to yield further insights into medieval maritime history.