Unearthing Secrets of the Gribshunden: Discovery of Century-Old Weapons Chest Sheds Light on Early Maritime Warfare and Political Events

In 1495, the Danish king’s flagship, Gribshunden, sank due to a fire that led to an explosive discharge of gunpowder. Recently, archaeologists in Sweden have discovered a hundred-year-old weapons chest that may provide insight into this event. The chest was found on the wreck of the Gribshunden and contained tools for making lead bullets for early handguns, molds of various sizes, lead plates, and a cylindrical box believed to be a canister shot.

The chest was identified as a “zeuglade,” used to create ammunition, and likely belonged to a group of German-speaking mercenaries onboard the ship. This discovery sheds light on the early development of maritime warfare and the use of gunpowder in combat. The Gribshunden wreck was the flagship of King Hans of Denmark, who was not on board at the time of the sinking. The ship’s sinking may have been linked to political events, as King Hans sought to persuade Sweden to rejoin the Kalmar Union under his rule.

The discovery offers valuable insights into the maritime military evolution of the time and provides a glimpse into the tactics and technologies that emerged during this period. By studying artifacts like the weapons chest, archaeologists can piece together the history of naval warfare and learn more about the events that shaped this important era in maritime history.