Discovery of Weapon Chest on the Wreckage of a 15th Century ‘Floating Castle’

Archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered a hundred-year-old weapons chest that may provide insight into a fire and explosion that caused the sinking of the Danish king’s flagship. The chest was found on the wreck of a 15th-century warship named Gribshunden, which sank in 1495 due to a fire that led to an explosive discharge of gunpowder. The discovery revealed changes in naval warfare at that time, including the transition from direct ramming and hand-to-hand combat to long-range attacks using gunpowder.

The discovery of the weapons chest could help researchers understand the fate of the ship. It contained tools for making lead bullets for early handguns, molds of various sizes, lead plates, and a cylindrical box believed to be a canister shot. The chest was identified as a “zeuglade,” used to create ammunition, and likely belonged to a group of German-speaking mercenaries onboard the ship.

The chest remains underwater at the wreck site, but archaeologists hope to recover it soon. The discovery sheds light on the early development of maritime warfare and the use of gunpowder in combat. The Gribshunden wreck was the flagship of King Hans of Denmark, who was not on board at the time of the sinking. The ship’s sinking may have been linked to political events, as King Hans sought to persuade Sweden to rejoin the Kalmar Union under his rule.

This discovery offers valuable insights into the maritime military evolution of the time and provides a glimpse into the tactics and technologies that emerged during this period. By studying artifacts like the weapons chest, archaeologists can piece together the history of naval warfare and learn more about the events that shaped this important era in maritime history.