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Representational image of a sunken shipwreck. Source: bayazed / Adobe Stock. Inset: Saffron, peppercorns, and almonds found aboard the Gribshunden ship. Credit: Larsson, M. and Foley, B.

Tasty Treasures: 3,000 Plants, Spices, and Fruits Found on 15th Century Norse Shipwreck

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A remarkable discovery has been made by archaeologists of preserved plants, spices, and fruit aboard a sunken Norse ship from the 15th century. The ship, named Gribshunden, had belonged to King Hans of Denmark and had been on a voyage to attend a political summit in Sweden when an explosion and fire caused Gribshunden to sink.

In a recent study published in PLOS ONE, archaeologists Mikael Larsson and Brendan Foley of Lund University report that they found over 3,000 specimens in containers that were missed by previous teams studying the shipwreck.

The team discovered a variety of plants including almonds, ginger, saffron, and peppercorns, as well as spices like cloves, mustard, dill, and nutmeg. Some of these spices originated from Indonesia, indicating that King Hans had a vast trade network. Additionally, the team found dried blackberries, raspberries, grapes, and flax, which served as snacks and showcased King Hans' wealth and power.

The researchers attributed the preservation of the specimens to the microenvironment created by the wooden shipwreck on the sea floor. The sunken ship captured drifting marine algae, resulting in seasonal deposits of algae reaching depths of 40 cm. As the algae decayed, it created localized areas of oxygen depletion, which contributed to the excellent preservation of the plant materials.

Saffron, peppercorns, and almonds found aboard the Gribshunden ship. Credit: Larsson, M. and Foley, B.

Saffron, peppercorns, and almonds found aboard the Gribshunden ship. Credit: Larsson, M. and Foley, B.

The Gribshunden Ship

During the summer solstice of 1495 AD, the royal flagship Gribshunden of the Danish King Hans, also known as King John of Denmark, sank when sailing from Copenhagen to Kalmar, Sweden, where it was to meet Sten Sture the Elder as part of Hans’s claim to the Swedish throne. Hans expected the Swedish Council to elect him king of Sweden, and thereby fulfill his ambition to reunify the Nordic region under a single crown.

The shipwreck was discovered by sport divers in the 1970s, but unaware of its significance they didn't alert archaeologists until 2000. The Gribshunden shipwreck came to media attention when archaeologists salvaged a fabulously well-preserved wooden figurehead of a dragon-like monster from the stern and brought it to the surface, probably the only one left in the world from a 15 th century ship.

The Gribshunden shipwreck came to media attention when archaeologists salvaged a fabulously well-preserved wooden figurehead of a dragon-like monster from the stern and brought it to the surface. (Blekinge Museum)

The Gribshunden shipwreck came to media attention when archaeologists salvaged a fabulously well-preserved wooden figurehead of a dragon-like monster from the stern and brought it to the surface. (Blekinge Museum)

The ship was 35 meters (114 feet) from bow to stern and had a beam of at least 7.5 meters (24.6 feet). It was an early type of ship constructed using the carvel method in which planks of the hull were laid flush and edge to edge instead of overlapping in the clinker type construction. In addition to the dragon figurehead, divers have found three lead shot on the wreck and carriages on the hull for wrought iron guns. Crossbow bolts also have been found at the shipwreck in previous years.

One of the more unusual discoveries on the ship was the skeletal remains of a giant 2-meter (6.6 foot) long Atlantic sturgeon. It is believed that King Hans had intended to present the fish to Sten Sture as a gift.

Fruitful Finds

The archaeobotanical specimens were found in the sterncastle of the king's flagship, which was believed to have housed only senior officers and royal or noble passengers. Artifacts found in the immediate vicinity of the spices, such as silver coins, armor, weapons, a cask with butchered sturgeon, and a wooden tankard with a crown symbol, point to the exotic foods being possessions of the king and noblemen.

The presence of a wide range of exotic plants, spices, and fruits provides valuable insight into the use of luxury goods in Northern Europe. With many of the specimens found in excellent preservation condition, the Gribshunden collection of spices represents the earliest archaeological examples of several luxury goods in the Baltic region.

The discovery reflects the wealth of King Hans and provides valuable insights into the customs and lifestyles of the aristocrats during the Middle Ages.

Top image: Representational image of a sunken shipwreck. Source: bayazed / Adobe Stock. Inset: Saffron, peppercorns, and almonds found aboard the Gribshunden ship. Credit: Larsson, M. and Foley, B.

By Joanna Gillan

 

Comments

It might have all been picked up at spice markets in the Netherlands. Given that it was headed for more northerly climes, dill and mustard may not have been a loss-maker if purchased cheaply enough amongst more exotic fare. In fact, it makes some sort of sense to have had cheaper items to sell to those who could not afford the exotics, if there was room left over for them.

But, you're right. They would've been European in origin. There would have been no sense in shipping dill and mustard from the subcontinent when there were much more valuable cargoes to be had on a perilous voyage.

Pete Wagner's picture

Makes little sense that dill and mustard, which are found all over Europe, were found mixed in with the Indian/exotic spices.  But good work otherwise.

Nobody gets paid to tell the truth.

Joanna Gillan's picture

Joanna

Joanna Gillan is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. 

Joanna completed a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree in Australia and published research in the field of Educational Psychology. She has a rich and varied career, ranging from teaching... Read More

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