Copenhagen, Jan.20 (SANA) Marine archaeologists in Denmark have announced the discovery of a shipwreck more than 600 years old in the Sound Strait (Öresund Strait), the narrow waterway separating Denmark and Sweden and one of Europe’s busiest maritime corridors for centuries.
The wreck has been identified as the largest known medieval trading vessel of the “cog” type, a class of ships that played a central role in northern European commerce during the Middle Ages.
According to IFLScience, a science news website, the discovery was made by a research team from the Viking Ship Museum near Copenhagen during seabed surveys and excavation work in the strait, which connects the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean via the North Sea. The removal of accumulated sand and silt revealed the remains of what researchers say is the largest cog ship documented to date.
The vessel, named Svæglet 2, measures approximately 28 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 6 meters in height, and was capable of carrying up to 300 tonnes of cargo. Analysis of tree rings in the timber used in its construction suggests the ship was built around the year 1410.
Studies have shown that the materials used in the ship came from different parts of northern Europe. Oak planks originated from Pomerania in present-day Poland, while wood from the Netherlands was used for the internal ribs, highlighting the extensive trade links and supply networks of the period.
“This discovery marks a turning point in European maritime history,” said Otto Uldum, the lead marine archaeologist heading the excavation team. He explained that cog ships represented a major development in shipbuilding during the 15th century, allowing for the transport of large quantities of goods and supporting the expansion of trade across northern Europe.
Researchers noted that thick layers of sand covering the wreck helped preserve large sections of the vessel in rare condition. This has enabled archaeologists to document the distinctive high structures, or “castles,” characteristic of cog ships, as well as recover personal belongings and everyday tools used by the crew.
The findings are expected to contribute significantly to the understanding of medieval seafaring, ship construction, and daily life aboard commercial vessels during that era.
