The Fahrdorf wreck: another large 12th-century cargo ship in the Schlei, northern Germany

Abstract

In 2014 an accidentally raised construction timber turned out to be a part of a medieval shipwreck resting in the murky waters of the Schlei inlet of the Baltic Sea in northern Germany. The Study Group for Maritime and Limnic Archaeology (AMLA) of the Christian-Albrechts University (CAU) at Kiel has examined and documented the remains using computer vision photogrammetry over recent years. Based on these campaigns it has been possible to date the wreck and determine its function as a large cargo sailing vessel, which testifies to the importance of the Schlei as a trading route for the cities of Hedeby and Schleswig.