Discovery of Largest Medieval Cog in Øresund Strait
Danish maritime archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Øresund Strait near Copenhagen, unearthing what is believed to be the largest medieval cog ever found. This 600-year-old trading vessel, named Svaelget 2 after the channel where it was located, was uncovered by a team from the Viking Ship Museum during routine seabed surveys for the controversial Lynetteholm artificial island project. The find marks a significant milestone in maritime archaeology, shedding light on medieval trade practices.
The vessel, measuring approximately 100 feet in length and 30 feet across, has been dated to around 1410 through dendrochronological analysis of its timber. Researchers estimate that Svaelget 2 could carry around 300 tonnes of cargo, making it a formidable presence on medieval trading routes. Otto Uldum, the excavation leader, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “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.” This find provides a tangible example of how trade developed during the Middle Ages.
Significance of the Find and Preservation State
The excavation of Svaelget 2 not only reveals the size of medieval cogs but also highlights their remarkable state of preservation. The ship’s starboard side, buried in protective sand, yielded extensive rigging components that have never before been observed at such a site. Uldum noted, “It is extraordinary to have so many parts of the rigging. We have never seen this before, and it gives us a real opportunity to say something entirely new about how cogs were equipped for sailing.”
In addition to the rigging, archaeologists discovered the first physical evidence of a castle structure on a cog wreck, a raised deckhouse at the stern where crew members sheltered from the elements. A brick galley made from 200 bricks and 15 tiles was found alongside bronze cooking pots, ceramic bowls, and food remnants. Personal belongings, including shoes, combs, and rosary beads, offered glimpses into daily life aboard the vessel.
The construction of Svaelget 2 reflects the international nature of medieval commerce, with planks made from Pomeranian oak sourced from present-day Poland and framing timber from the Netherlands. This suggests that Polish materials were likely transported to a yard in the Low Countries for assembly. Cogs emerged around the tenth century as vessels capable of moving vast quantities of goods efficiently, surpassing earlier Viking ships in cargo capacity while providing defense against boarding during attacks. Despite their size, these ships required only small crews to operate, revolutionizing trade in northern Europe. Uldum concluded, “It made it possible to transport goods on a scale never seen before.”
