A 15th century gallion from the flagship of the King of Denmark excavated from the Baltic Sea! - video

Unusual find by Swedish researchers in the Baltic Sea! Scientists managed to excavate a galion (a sculpture decorating the bow of a ship) from 1495! The artefact comes from the wreck of the flagship of the Danish king “Gribshunden”, which sank during a voyage from Copenhagen to Kalmar. The find is unique in that very few wrecks from this period have survived to the present day.

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The excavated sculpture depicts the head of a sea monster with lion ears and a crocodile-like jaw that devours humans. It was probably intended to terrify enemies and lower morale among the crews of enemy vessels. It is very possible that it did this effectively, as the ship was not sunk by the enemy, but sank as a result of a fire.

Despite extensive damage to the hull, which was largely consumed by fire, the wreck itself remains one of the best preserved vessels of the period.

“The last time he saw the surface, Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus were still among the living. The sculpture certainly depicts a monster, a sea beast. It remains for us to determine what kind of animal we are dealing with. In my opinion, it is some kind of mythical creature. I knew we were dealing with a wonderful find, but when the sculpture came to the surface, the effect exceeded my expectations! This is a unique phenomenon on a global scale!” – said Professor Johan Ronnby, leading the research on behalf of Sodetorn University.

The researchers submitted the excavated artefact for conservation. After such a long time spent in the sea water, contact with air affects the sculpture very negatively. Now the research of the wreck will continue, and the team dealing with it is hoping for more interesting finds, which can be excavated and handed over to the museum.

“We are incredibly lucky. What we are experiencing is completely unique. Imagine that the ship comes from the time when Columbus sailed to America and Vasco da Gama to India.” – Marcus Sandekjer from the Blekinge Museum did not hide his delight.

The find will certainly allow researchers to broaden their knowledge of how vessels were constructed at that time. Not much information has been preserved about boatbuilding and nautical art as such. This is for the simple reason that no vessels have survived to this day that could answer many questions.

Source: abc.net.au