For many centuries, it was believed that a wreck found off the coast of Sweden dated from the Viking Age. Contrary to popular belief, recent archaeological studies have disproved the “Viking shipwreck” hypothesis, revealing a different reality about the vessel.
The wreck, located in Landfjärden, south of Stockholm, shows characteristics of a more advanced construction style than expected. Since then, researchers have done their utmost to determine its age and origin, thus providing new data on Scandinavian maritime history.
If it wasn’t a Viking shipwreck off the coast of Sweden, then what was it?
The vessel was discovered in an area where there are several wrecks documented since the nineteenth century. These wrecks were thought to belong to the Viking Age, between the years 793 and 1066. However, new research carried out by maritime archaeologists from the Vrak Museum in Stockholm has changed this perception.
According to Håkan Altrock, curator of the museum and leader of the project, at least five wrecks have been identified in the area. Four of them date from the 17th and 18th centuries, while the oldest, known as “Wreck 5”, was built before 1480, possibly between 1460 and 1480.
The find is of particular interest due to the dimensions and characteristics of the ship. It is estimated that it measured approximately 35 meters in length and 10 meters in width. Part of its structure is preserved in good condition, including the stern, the tailpiece and the rudder.
How did the researchers realize that it was not a Viking shipwreck?
One of the most relevant aspects of “Wreck 5” is the type of naval construction used. Instead of having been built with the “clinker” technique, typical of Viking ships and characterized by overlapping planks, the “carvel” technique was used.
Carvel construction means that the planks of the hull are aligned flush with each other, forming a smooth surface. This innovation, which originated in the Mediterranean in the 7th century, made it possible to reinforce the hull with an internal frame structure.
This adaptation in naval construction responded to a practical need: to support the weight of the cannons, a key element in 15th-century vessels. Ships with clinker construction became obsolete in the face of this new technology.
Why is this discovery so important for historians?
The discovery of “Vrak 5” allows us to better understand the transition between medieval ships and those of later periods. It is a key finding for Swedish and European maritime history.
Researchers have determined that the wood used to build the ship came from southern Sweden, specifically from the Kalmar or Blekinge region. This suggests that the vessel was built in a local shipyard, which could shed light on naval activity at the time.
Among the next steps, the archaeologists plan to apply for funding for a detailed excavation of the site. They have also made a digital model of the wreck using photogrammetry, a technique that allows three-dimensional images to be reconstructed from photographs.
