Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – For centuries, the waters near Copenhagen have concealed a remarkable secret, one that has now come to light thanks to the dedicated efforts of maritime archaeologists from Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum. Their recent discovery of the world’s largest cog is not just an archaeological triumph; it is a game-changer for our understanding of medieval maritime technology and trade.
Credit: Viking Ship Museum
This massive cargo ship, hidden beneath layers of sand and silt for 600 years, offers unprecedented insights into how goods were transported across Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Its impressive size and unique construction details reveal techniques previously unknown to historians, reshaping our understanding of shipbuilding in this era.
The significance of this find cannot be overstated. Uncovered during seabed surveys for Copenhagen’s new Lynetteholm district in the Sound, the strait between Denmark and Sweden, this vessel stands as one of the most advanced ships ever built in its time. It played a pivotal role in supporting vibrant trade networks that connected communities across Northern Europe.
Credit: Viking Ship Museum
“The find is a milestone for maritime archaeology. It is the largest cog we know of, and it gives us a unique opportunity to understand both the construction and life on board the biggest trading ships of the Middle Ages,” says maritime archaeologist and excavation leader, Otto Uldum, in a press release.
A Medieval Super Ship
The ship, named Svælget 2 (Svaelget 2) after the channel where it was discovered, measures approximately 28 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 6 meters in height. It has an estimated cargo capacity of 300 tons. Constructed around the year 1410, this cog is the largest example of its kind ever found worldwide. Archaeologists note that a vessel of this size indicates a society undergoing significant change, as operating such a large ship would have required an advanced and well-organized trade network.
“A ship with such a large cargo capacity is part of a structured system where merchants knew there was a market for the goods they carried. Svælget 2 is a tangible example of how trade developed during the Middle Ages,” stresses Otto Uldum.
The cog was a highly efficient type of ship, notable for its ability to be operated by a small crew even when carrying heavy loads. Large cogs were specifically constructed to undertake the challenging journey around Skagen, starting from present-day Netherlands, passing through the Sound, and reaching the trading towns along the Baltic Sea. The site known as Svælget 2 provides direct evidence of the extensive trade networks that connected Northern Europe in the 15th century.
According to Uldum, these findings clearly demonstrate that everyday goods were actively traded during this period. Shipbuilders designed cogs as large as possible to accommodate bulky cargo such as salt, timber, bricks, and basic food items. This approach maximized efficiency in transporting essential commodities across long distances.
The Cog: The ShipThat Transformed Europe
The cog was a highly significant ship during the Middle Ages, particularly in the North Sea region where it was developed. Its design enabled the efficient, cost-effective transportation of large quantities of goods. As a result, the cog played a crucial role in economic development throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. With its substantial cargo capacity, it revolutionized trade by enabling not only luxury items but also everyday commodities to be transported over long distances, fundamentally changing established trade patterns.
“The cog revolutionised trade in Northern Europe. It made it possible to transport goods on a scale never seen before,” says Uldum.
International Connections
Dendrochronological analysis has revealed that Svælget 2 was constructed around 1410, using timber sourced from two distinct regions: Pomerania (in present-day Poland) and the Netherlands. Researchers determined both the age and origin of the wood by comparing its tree-ring patterns to established reference data. Their findings indicate that the ship’s planks were crafted from Pomeranian oak, while its frames—or ribs—were made using Dutch timber. This construction method suggests that heavy planking timber was imported, whereas frames were likely produced locally at the shipyard. Such a pattern highlights not only a practical approach to shipbuilding but also points to a sophisticated trade network in which significant quantities of timber were transported across Northern Europe during this period.
Credit: Viking Ship Museum
“It tells us that timber exports went from Pomerania to the Netherlands, and that the ship was built in the Netherlands, where the expertise to construct these very large cogs was found,” says Uldum.
Svælget 2 stands out as the largest cog ever discovered and is notable for its exceptional state of preservation. The shipwreck was excavated at a depth of 13 metres, a location that has protected it from the destructive forces typically encountered by vessels near the coast. Uniquely, sand has shielded the starboard side from keel to gunwale—an unprecedented occurrence in previous cog finds. This protective layer enabled archaeologists to uncover remarkable traces of the ship’s rigging in this area.
“It gives us a real opportunity to say something entirely new about how cogs were equipped for sailing,” explains Uldum.
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These discoveries give researchers a unique opportunity to study construction details and understand the complexity of medieval sailing ships.
“The finds show how something as complex as the rigging was solved on the largest cogs. Rigging is absolutely central to a medieval ship, as it makes it possible to control the sail, secure the mast and keep the cargo safe. Without ropes and rigging, the ship would be nothing,” says the maritime archaeologist.
What Was Life On Board A Ship Like This One?
A significant discovery was the ship’s brick-built galley, which is the earliest known example of its kind found in Danish waters. This area served as the crew’s cooking space, allowing them to prepare meals over an open fire. The galley was constructed from approximately 200 bricks and 15 tiles. In addition to the structure itself, archaeologists uncovered bronze cooking pots, ceramic bowls, and remnants of fish and meat in the same vicinity.
“We have never before seen a brick galley in a medieval ship find from Danish waters. It speaks of remarkable comfort and organisation on board. Now sailors could have hot meals similar to those on land, instead of the dried and cold food that previously dominated life at sea,” says Uldum.
In the galley area, archaeologists discovered fragments of the crew’s tableware and cooking pots, along with remnants of provisions like fish and meat. They also found hundreds of finely cut sticks that may have been used for preparing stockfish. The excavation revealed rare evidence of daily life on board, including painted wooden dishes, shoes, combs, and rosary beads. Additionally, galley equipment such as bronze cooking pots and ceramic bowls was uncovered. These findings provide valuable insight into the crew’s routines and highlight the level of organization necessary to manage such a large vessel.
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“The sailor brought his comb to keep his hair neat and his rosary to say his prayers. We have the remains of the pots his food was cooked in and the bowls he ate from. These personal objects show us that the crew brought everyday items with them. They transferred their life on land to life at sea,” explains Uldum.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer