Workers at a construction site in the Estonian capital of Tallinn have unearthed a ship with officials calling it “this year’s most important archaeological discovery in Europe”.
According to Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) news agency, planners were aware of another 13th century ship at the site however were surprised when they discovered a second shipwreck. Archaeologists believe the ship to be from the 13th or 14th century.
The port of Tallinn was extremely important for trade between Scandinavia and eastern Europe with experts believing the vessel to be from the Hanseatic League, a vital trading company of northern Europe from the 13th-15th centuries. Archaeologist Mihkel Tammet told The Metro about the significance of the location.
“800 years ago, we had almost two meters of water here,” he said.
“There were probably shallower underwater sand ridges which were hard to map because they changed their shape and location because of ice drifts and storms.
“Our ship was found on one of these ridges under the sediments [and] it sank close to the Härjapea river mouth.”
The ship is about 24.5 metres in length and 9.5 metres wide, made of oak logs and planks with Mr Tammet saying they found several things on board including wool material, tools, and fragments of medieval leather shoes. It was found 1.5 metres underground.
Estonian politician Eerik-Niiles Kross commented in a social media posts that “the tar found at the wreck… made a rather powerful impression”. He noted “more specifically its smell. Fresh as a winter grease, but still the smell of the 13th century”.
The construction company will hold off their work for another two months according to a representative from EHC Lootsi OU. This will allow archeologists to unearth the ship and move it to a safe location.
Experts say investigations will continue to determine more details about exact date and use.
