An underwater survey off the shores of Lindau in Lake Constance, in southern Germany, has brought to light a Late Medieval shipwreck estimated to be around 600 years old. The wooden remains, examined by specialists from the Bavarian Society for Underwater Archaeology, are considered highly significant for understanding the history of lake transport and boatbuilding technology in the region.
A Discovery Revealed by Receding Waters
The remains were first noticed last year, when the lake’s water level dropped to a historic low. Initially thought to be ordinary pieces of timber, closer inspection revealed the curves of the ship’s keel structure and elements of the hull planking [1]. Radiocarbon (carbon-14) analyses carried out in cooperation with the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Monuments dated the construction of the vessel to between AD 1420 and 1450. Measuring approximately 8 to 12 meters in length and about 3 meters in width, this medieval boat survived for centuries thanks to the cool waters of the lake.
The Hidden Wrecks of Lake Constance
This is not the first underwater investigation conducted in Lake Constance. As part of extensive inventory projects initiated in recent years, researchers have identified 31 previously unknown wrecks on the lakebed [2]. These systematic surveys, known under the title “Shipwrecks and the Deep Sea,” have shown that the depths of the lake preserve not only boats, but also objects such as wooden barrels encrusted with mussels, which offer important clues to the commercial life of the period [3].
Decision to Preserve the Wreck In Situ
Unlike more spectacular finds such as Roman cargoes discovered in Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland, specialists do not plan to raise this medieval shipwreck. Underwater archaeologist Prof. Dr. Tobias Pflederer notes that recovering the wreck would require an extremely costly and labor-intensive conservation process. According to the researchers, leaving the wooden remains underwater, protected beneath layers of sediment, is regarded as the safest way to preserve them for the future. A small-scale excavation is planned in the coming period in order to clarify the vessel’s exact dimensions and construction technique.
Sources and further reading
- [1] What surprised underwater archaeologists at the Lake ...
- [2] 31 Unknown Shipwrecks, Including a Rare Sailing Ship, Discovered in Lake Constance - Arkeonews
- [3] Scientists Uncover 31 Shipwrecks Hidden Beneath Lake Constance
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