Ancient Secrets Unearthed: A 15th-Century Weapons Chest on a Sunken Ship Sheds Light on Maritime Warfare

A hundred-year-old weapons chest found on the wreck of a 15th-century warship in Sweden could provide valuable insights into the fire and explosion that led to the sinking of the Danish king’s flagship. The chest, referred to as a “zeuglade,” was likely used by German-speaking mercenaries on board the ship and contained molds for making lead bullets, lead plates for melting the molds, and a cylindrical box thought to be for shot.

Maritime archaeologists Rolf Warming and professor Johan Rönnby note that this discovery highlights the shift from ancient maritime combat techniques to using gunpowder to attack enemies from a distance. Warming notes that it took over a century for tactics and technology to fully develop in maritime warfare. The shipwreck offers valuable insights into the early stages of naval warfare evolution.

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 on the Gribshunden provides a window into early maritime military technology and tactics, showcasing how direct combat transformed into using gunpowder weapons in warfare.