Sunken ship reveals life in Europe 400 years ago – 7/5/2023 – Science

Possibly succumbing to a fire, a merchant vessel rescued off the German coast provides glimpses of everyday life in the 17th century. After studies, it should return to the water, preserved for future generations.

In November 2021, archaeologists began examining the remains of a shipwreck off the northern coast of Germany. On Monday (03/07), the team revealed to the public their findings in what turned out to be a 17th-century merchant vessel belonging to the Hanseatic League.

After a comprehensive rescue mission – the first successful commercial vehicle of that period in the region – the undersea treasure is cleaned and documented, and includes porcelain objects and parts of nautical apparatus, including 180 pieces of wood. The stern is particularly well preserved.

“We found more than we expected and we can infer a lot about the constitution and equipment present on the ship”, communicated the project director, Felix Rösch, at a press conference.

The find is especially important for illustrating the daily life of the time. While several warships have already been rescued in the Baltic Sea, this merchant ship offers glimpses into civilian life. Among the objects is a drink flask with the word “Londn” engraved on it. Animal bones and residues on the porcelain pieces indicate what was eaten on board.

Back on the water for future generations

The wreckage was found 11 meters deep in the River Trave, near the port city of Lübeck, on the Baltic Sea in northeast Germany. A routine measurement revealed a ship about 25 meters long and 6 meters wide.

Experts deduce that he was on his way to Scandinavia. Black marks on much of the wood suggest a fire on board as a possible cause of the sinking. The cargo may also have contributed to the disaster: 150 barrels of quicklime (calcium oxide), a highly flammable substance used in the 17th century as a building material.

Now the finds will be subjected to 3D tracking in a warehouse in Lübeck, kept in tanks filled with water, “otherwise they will dry out and decompose quickly”, explained Rosch.

According to the person in charge of Culture of the city, Monika Frank, it is possible that the 400-year-old items will be submerged again after the studies, in order to be preserved for future generations.

Created in the late 12th century, the Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive confederation of towns and merchant guilds in the North and Baltic Sea area, stretching from Holland to Poland, and in the north along the coast of Scandinavia.