Maritime archaeologists in Sweden have made a significant discovery on the wreck of a 15th-century warship that could shed light on the fire and explosion that led to the sinking of the Danish king’s flagship. The team unearthed a hundred-year-old weapons chest, referred to as a “zeuglade,” that was likely used by German-speaking mercenaries on board the ship.
The chest contained molds for making lead bullets, lead plates for melting the molds, and a cylindrical box thought to be for shot. This discovery highlights the shift from ancient maritime combat techniques to using gunpowder to attack enemies from a distance, according to maritime archaeologist Rolf Warming and professor Johan Rönnby.
The Gribshunden served as the flagship of King Hans of Denmark, who was not on board when the ship sank. It was returning from the Swedish town of Kalmar, where discussions on unifying Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under the Kalmar Union took place. The discovery on the ship could help explain whether the sinking was the result of sabotage.
Overall, this weapons chest discovery provides valuable insights into early stages of naval warfare evolution and showcases how tactics and technology developed over time in maritime military technology and tactics.