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The importance of the Gribshunden archaeological site cannot be overstated. The wreck encapsulates a pivotal moment not only in Scandinavian history, but in world history. This unique lens brings into focus several late medieval macroscale societal changes: globalization, transition from barter/bullion to specie economies, consolidation of nation-states, embrace of new technologies including world-ranging ships carrying artillery, and utilization and depletion of resources. At the same time, the wreck’s artifacts deliver fascinating microscale details to bring to life the players in these actions: foodstuffs, personal possessions and clothing, hand weapons, artwork. The quantity of new information recovered in our recent interventions is impressive, even though the excavation trenches represent about 1% of the total volume of the site.
We recommend data collection and physical intervention on this site across three levels of effort: minimally intrusive survey, recovery of certain exposed objects, and continued excavation at selected loci.
1) Minimally intrusive survey
Future research should include study of the essential characteristics of the ship’s construction. This can be accomplished with minimal disturbance to the site by 3D modeling features such as the stem, rudder, tiller arch, gunwales, and other components. Accurate measurements must be taken of deck beams, knees, and planks. A virtual reconstruction of the vessel is feasible through these methods.
2) Recovery of certain exposed objects
Recovery of exposed artifacts should continue. Retrieval of the “armorer’s toolbox” near the bow should be considered. This conglomerate object is periodically exposed, then covered by seasonal marine algae deposition; during the 2021 campaign, a thick blanket of decaying algae hid the object from view. When exposed, it becomes a target for looting by unauthorized divers.
The large artillery piece discovered in the 2021 campaign may also be recovered, providing sufficient budget exists for its conservation. This is the largest medieval shipboard artillery piece known. Study of it in relation to the other guns in this ship’s battery and compared to the batteries of other vessels will provide insights into how ships of this type projected state power through violence.
3) Continued excavation
Excavation should be performed only in the service of answering historical and archaeological hypotheses. We believe further excavation is warranted because this ship is unique in the range of questions it can satisfy. As a proxy for the ships of exploration, Gribshunden can show us how the vessel was spatially organized and how the hierarchies of society on land were squeezed into the limited space of a complex seagoing machine. How different were the onboard experiences of the crew and the noble passengers? Sequential excavation of small trenched along the length of the vessel will reveal these differences, if they exist.
These excavations will also provide information about the ship as a symbol of state power and royal prestige. Hans used his flagship personally and extensively, a practice uncommon among medieval rulers of other states. How did King Hans utilize Gribshunden as a “floating castle”, his mobile base for state functions? What can this reveal about Hans as an individual, and the politics of the Nordic region generally?
Each excavation on this site (2006, 2019, 2021) has delivered surprising and unprecedented finds. Future archaeological research is certain to be equally productive.
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| GH2021 Report 2 |