Danish archaeologists discover the largest medieval sailing ship ever found

A team of Danish archaeologists has uncovered what experts say is the largest medieval European cargo ship ever found, according to the Viking Ship Museum.

The discovery was made on the seafloor of the Øresund Strait during surveys connected to the construction of Lynetteholm, a major land‑reclamation project near Copenhagen.

The vessel measures roughly 100 feet long and 33 feet wide, dating back to the early 15th century. Inside, researchers found several personal belongings believed to have belonged to the crew.

The ship, named Svælget 2 after the channel where it was located, is estimated to have had a deadweight capacity of about 300 tons. According to the museum, that massive cargo capacity points to long‑distance trade routes and high‑volume transport during a period when Europe’s maritime commerce was rapidly expanding.

“This is clear evidence that everyday goods were being traded on a huge scale,” said excavation leader Otto Uldum. “Shipbuilders pushed the limits, making vessels as large as possible to carry bulky cargo like salt, timber, bricks, and staple foods. We now know without a doubt that these ships could reach this extreme size.”

Built between Poland and the Netherlands

Early analysis shows the ship’s planks came from Poland, while its ribs were crafted in what is now the Netherlands — regions known at the time for advanced shipbuilding expertise. Tree‑ring dating places the vessel’s construction around 1410.

Researchers believe the ship was built to transport goods between the area of modern‑ day Holland and ports along the Baltic Sea — a notoriously challenging route for a wooden sailing vessel of this scale.

The museum also highlighted the shipwreck’s remarkable state of preservation. Among the most surprising finds was an unusually sophisticated onboard kitchen for its era, complete with a brick stove designed for cooking during long voyages.

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