‘Spectacular’shipwreck found with underwater time capsule of untouched cargo: ‘Amazing find’

Archaeologists recently uncovered an18th-century shipwreckin Norwegian waters containing the best-preserved cargo of its kind ever found in Northern Europe.

The shipwreck’s cargo is “unlike anything ever previously found in shipwrecks in Northern Europe,” said Hanna Geiran, director of the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.

The organization announced the discovery earlier in June.The shipwreck was found by Espen Saastad, a watch designer who also operates a small remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and survey company.

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The wreck lies about 1,970 feet beneath the surface in the Skagerrak Strait off Norway’s southeastern coast, with pictures showing stacks ofporcelain dishesand other artifacts resting on the ocean floor among the ship’s remains.

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�s generally rare to find such well-preserved cargo from 18th-century ships.

Archaeologists say a newly discovered shipwreck off Norway’s southeastern coast contains one of the best-preserved cargoes ever found in Northern Europe.(Espen Saastad og Norsk Maritimt Museum;Sindre Kinnerød Flash Studio AS)

So far, large quantities of undamaged Chinese porcelain have been identified, together with parts of chandeliers, goblets,bottles and barrels of grain.

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“Rows of crates have also been discovered but have not yet been examined,” she said.

“One of these appears tocontain textiles, while another has a range of organic material, which may include tea, herbs and medicines.”

Researchers identified quantities of Chinese porcelain and other luxury goods aboard the centuries-old shipwreck found beneath the Skagerrak Strait.(Sindre Kinnerød Flash Studio AS)

The cargo is “very well-preserved, considering how old it is,” Geiran added, though modern trawlers have damaged some parts of the wreck.

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Researchers are still unsure where the ship sailed from or where it was heading, but Geiran said small clues recovered from the wreck may lead them to the answer.

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“This is a spectacular find that belongs to the public.”

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“Besides the Chinese porcelain, we think that the other luxury goods may have originated inEngland or Germany,” Geiran said.

“One very interesting clue is a brick from the ship’s galley that bears the stamp of Lübecker Ratsziegelei, a brickworks in Lübeck that was in operation from the 15th century until 1772.”

While researchers cannot estimate the cargo’s original value, Geiran said the porcelain was considered a luxury commodity in the mid-18th century, though it had become increasingly accessible to Europe’s bourgeoisie.

The remarkably preserved cargo includes porcelain, chandeliers, goblets, bottles and barrels, offering new insight into 18th-century maritime trade.(Espen Saastad og Norsk Maritimt Museum;Sindre Kinnerød Flash Studio AS)

Today, she said, the wreck’s greatest value lies in its status as a protected cultural monument rather than its monetary worth.

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Geiran added that researchers are “very excited” about future investigations and whether the wreck still holds additional artifacts.

Officials believe additional unopened crates aboard the ship may still contain textiles, tea, herbs or other organic materials.(Frode Kvalø, Norsk Maritimt Museum)

“In the pictures from the seabed, for example, we can glimpse a spectacular lotus plant in porcelain,” she said.

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“We are also very pleased that this amazing find will be available for everyone to see when it is eventually exhibited at theNorwegian Maritime Museumin Oslo.This is a spectacular find that belongs to the public.”