22 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The Oldest Known Carvel-Built Shipwreck in the Nordic Region Found

Maritime archaeologists from the Museum of Wrecks (Vrak) in Stockholm have made a groundbreaking discovery off the coast of Sweden: a shipwreck that may be the oldest confirmed carvel-built ship in the Nordic region. Located beneath the waters of Landfjärden, south of Stockholm, this remarkable find, known as Wreck 5, is believed to date back to the 1480s, with some estimates suggesting it could have been constructed as early as the 1460s.

Håkan Altrock, the museum curator and project leader, highlighted the significance of this discovery, stating, “This ship represents a fascinating link between medieval and modern shipbuilding. It has the potential to provide us with valuable new insights into an important period in Sweden’s maritime history.” The ship measures approximately 30 meters (98 ft) in length and 7 meters (23 ft) in width, with its well-preserved condition allowing the sternpost and rudder to remain upright.

What sets Wreck 5 apart from other vessels of its time is its construction technique. Unlike traditional Nordic ships built with overlapping planks, this vessel was constructed using the carvel method, which involves laying planks edge to edge to create a smooth hull. This technique, which originated in the Mediterranean around the seventh century CE, marked a significant evolution in shipbuilding, allowing for stronger and larger vessels. Researchers believe that the emergence of carvel construction was a response to the introduction of cannons on ships in the 15th century, necessitating stronger hulls to withstand enemy fire.

Credit: Vrak Museum of Wrecks.

Dendrochronological analysis conducted by experts from Lund University revealed that the timber used for Wreck 5 originated from either Möre in the Kalmar region or eastern Blekinge in southern Sweden. This finding aligns with historical records indicating that Swedish shipbuilding in the late 15th century was influenced by continental European techniques.

Wreck 5 is one of five known shipwrecks in the Landfjärden area, which were previously thought to be Viking ships linked to the legendary naval battle of Olaf the Holy, King of Norway. However, recent studies have shown that most of these wrecks date to the 17th and 18th centuries, making Wreck 5 the oldest among them. Initial attempts to date the wreck were inconclusive, but subsequent analyses successfully confirmed its late 15th-century origins.

As the Vrak Museum of Wrecks continues its investigation of the maritime environment around Häringe, plans are underway to establish Wreck 5 as a separate research project. Altrock expressed enthusiasm for the future, stating, “We plan to apply for external funding for an excavation. This ship is not just a relic of the past; it is a key to understanding the evolution of shipbuilding in Sweden.”

Illustration of the remains of Wreck 5. Credit: Alexander Rauscher & Jim Hansson, Vrak Museum of Wrecks.
Illustration of the remains of Wreck 5. Credit: Alexander Rauscher & Jim Hansson, Vrak Museum of Wrecks.

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of maritime history but also underscores the technological advancements that shaped naval warfare and trade in the late medieval period. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of Wreck 5, it promises to unveil new chapters in Sweden’s rich maritime heritage.

The Vrak Museum of Wrecks has used photogrammetry to create a digital model of Wreck 5, enabling researchers to study its structure in detail. Take a look at the wreck in digital 3D-model: Wreck 5 – 3D model.

Vrak Museum of Wrecks

Related Articles

Archaeologists uncovered a Roman settlement and what is thought to be an extremely rare early Medieval longhouse in North East Wales

16 August 2024

16 August 2024

The team from the University of Chester, Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology (Clwyd-Powys region), and the Portable Antiquities Scheme...

Human blood proteins were found in the red paint on a 1,000-year-old gold mask from Peru

27 October 2021

27 October 2021

Traces of human blood have been discovered in the red paint that decorated a gold mask found on the remains...

A Small Sandstone Carved With A Viking Ship May Be Oldest Picture Ever Found In Iceland

16 June 2023

16 June 2023

Archaeologists in East Iceland have found a sandstone carved with a Viking ship that may be the oldest picture ever...

Vase for holy oil used by ‘hidden Christians’ in Japan

24 May 2023

24 May 2023

After the family that had passed it down through the generations permitted the artifact to be examined, a relic from...

A 1900-year-old stele was discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Parion

5 August 2021

5 August 2021

A 1,900-year-old grave stele was found during excavations in Parion, an important ancient port city, near Kemer village in the...

An 1800-year-old geometric patterned mosaic was discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Bergama

17 June 2022

17 June 2022

During excavations surrounding the Red Basilica at Pergamon, an ancient city in western Turkey that is a UNESCO World Heritage...

Ancient Murals of Two-faced Figures Found in Peru

21 March 2023

21 March 2023

Archaeologists are reporting a number of fascinating discoveries as work on the excavations at Pañamarca progresses that are helping to...

A Previously Unknown Bronze Age Settlement Discovered in Switzerland

18 February 2024

18 February 2024

In advance of a construction project in Heimberg, the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern carried out a rescue...

Silver coins found near the ruins of the medieval monastery in Holy island

10 November 2021

10 November 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a silver coin on Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island, in the northeast of England. Dig Ventures is...

Earliest glass workshop north of the Alps unearthed in Němčice

25 July 2023

25 July 2023

Archaeologists excavated the famous Iron Age site Němčice and uncovered the earliest glass workshop north of the Alps. Numerous beautiful...

1700 years ago the Korean peninsula had more genetic diversity than in our time, “Facial reconstruction possible through DNA analyses”

22 June 2022

22 June 2022

An international team led by The University of Vienna and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration...

East and West Meeting at the King’s Dinner Table

7 April 2021

7 April 2021

Researchers from Tezukayama University and the Uzbekistan Archaeological Institute reported that a food pantry about 37 feet long and 10...

Ancient Roman city of Pompeii, archaeologists have unearthed a fresco depicting the Greek mythological siblings Phrixus and Helle

2 March 2024

2 March 2024

Archaeologists excavating a house adjacent to the House of Leda in Insula 6, Regio V, in the ancient Roman city...

Tombs of elite Wari craftsmen found in the royal necropolis in Castillo de Huarmey, Peru

12 September 2022

12 September 2022

A group of tombs of elite craftsmen of the Wari culture has been discovered at the archaeological site of Castillo...

9 Relics of Neanderthal Found in The Guattari Cave

8 May 2021

8 May 2021

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered the remains of nine Neanderthals who were reportedly killed and mauled by hyenas in their...