Archaeologists have uncovered the largest known medieval cargo ship, a discovery that is reshaping understanding of the scale of trade in northern Europe during the 15th century. The vessel, dated to around 1410 AD, was found in the waters near Copenhagen and is exceptionally well preserved.

Known as Svælget 2, after the nearby channel where it was discovered, the ship measures 28 meters in length, 9 meters in width, and 6 meters in height—making it longer than two school buses. Researchers estimate it could carry up to 300 tonnes of cargo, surpassing all previously known medieval ships of its type.

The vessel belongs to the tradition of large medieval cogs, ships designed for transporting bulk goods such as timber, salt, bricks, and basic foodstuffs. Its unprecedented size highlights how medieval shipbuilders pushed technological limits to meet the growing demands of long-distance trade.

Scientific analysis of the ship’s timbers revealed that oak from Pomerania was used for the hull planking, while structural elements originated in the Netherlands, indicating a complex supply network and suggesting that the ship was constructed where expertise in building large trading vessels was concentrated.

The wreck was found at a depth of about 13 meters, where calm conditions protected it from damage. Notably, archaeologists documented rare surviving elements of the rigging and the ship’s “high castles”—raised wooden platforms that served both defensive and practical purposes. These features have long been known from historical illustrations but had never before been archaeologically confirmed.

Personal belongings recovered from the wreck, including wooden tableware, shoes, combs, rosary beads, cooking pots, and ceramic bowls, provide an intimate glimpse into daily life on board. Although no cargo survived, the absence of weapons or damage confirms the ship’s role as a merchant vessel, not a warship.

The discovery is being studied by specialists associated with the Viking Ship Museum, who emphasize its importance for understanding how maritime technology and medieval society evolved together, at a time when seaborne trade underpinned economic life across Europe.