Medieval Shipwreck Discovered in Sweden Could Be Oldest of Its Kind

Maritime archaeologists have uncovered what may be the oldest known carvel-built ship from the Nordic region. The wreck, found in Landfjärden near Häringe, south of Stockholm, dates back to the late Middle Ages and offers new insights into the evolution of shipbuilding in northern Europe.

Preliminary analysis suggests the ship was built in the 1480s or possibly as early as the 1460s. Håkan Altrock, curator and project manager at Sweden’s Museum of Wrecks, describes the ship’s impressive state of preservation:

“It’s a large ship, likely about 35 metres long and 10 metres wide. The ship’s frame still rises high above the seabed, and in the stern, both the sternpost and rudder remain upright.”

What makes this vessel particularly significant is its construction method. Most medieval ships from Scandinavia were clinker-built, meaning their planks overlapped to form a flexible yet sturdy hull. However, this ship was built using the carvel method, a technique that became widespread in southern Europe before spreading north.

“Unlike the prevailing clinker-built ships of the time, where planks overlap, this vessel was built using the carvel method, with planks laid edge to edge on a frame to create a smooth hull,” Altrock explains.

The shipwreck is one of five discovered in Landfjärden. Historical records once suggested these wrecks could be Viking ships, but research has since provided a more precise timeline. “A year ago, we dated three of the four largest wrecks to the 1600s and 1700s. We were also able to link one of them to a historical source from the 17th century,” Altrock adds.

The newly identified vessel, referred to as Wreck 5, is by far the oldest of the group and a key find for maritime archaeology. “We call this particular ship Wreck 5,” Altrock explains. “It is the oldest and most intriguing of the wrecks we’re investigating in Landfjärden. We have confidently dated it to the 1480s, though the ship might have been built as early as the 1460s and later repaired in the 1480s. What we also know for certain is that the timber used to build the ship was felled in either Möre, in the Kalmar region, or in eastern Blekinge.”

Researchers at the Museum of Wrecks plan to continue their work in the area before launching a dedicated research project on Wreck 5. “We plan to apply for external funding for an excavation,” Altrock says. “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 emergence of carvel-built ships in northern Europe marked a significant shift in naval technology. Many historians believe the technique became increasingly important in the 15th century as ships were adapted to carry cannons. The need for onboard artillery required vessels with stronger, more stable hulls capable of withstanding enemy fire.

With further excavation and study, Wreck 5 could reveal crucial details about this transition and shed light on how medieval shipbuilding evolved in response to new maritime challenges.