As has now been officially announced, the Swedish navy discovered a previously unidentified shipwreck from the late 16th century during a military exercise in the Kalmar Sound at the end of 2025. A dendrochronological analysis of the wood confirms the age of the find, which lies between the Swedish mainland and the island of Öland and is even older than the famous "Vasa", according to the Kalmar County Council.
The naval vessel "Belos" located the wreck during routine exercises in the strategically important strait. For centuries, the region was a focal point of maritime conflicts and trade routes. The Kalmar Strait connects the northern and southern Baltic Sea and was one of the most important shipping routes in northern Europe in the 16th century.
Precise dating through tree ring analysis
The dating was carried out by means of a dendrochronological analysis, in which the annual rings of the wood used were precisely determined. Experts from the Kalmar provincial administration confirmed the results of this chronological classification in an official statement. The method is considered to be extremely reliable and allows the age to be determined to within a few years.
This would make the wreck even older than the famous "Vasa", which is considered a Swedish national treasure. The "Vasa", a 17th century warship, sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961. Today, it is one of the most important maritime museum objects in the world and is visited by around 1.5 million visitors every year.
Unique insights into Renaissance shipping
Researcher Daniel Tedenlind emphasised that the shipwreck has considerable cultural and historical value. According to the expert, the find provides unique archaeological information about shipping at the time. Very few well-preserved shipwrecks are known from the late 16th century - a period that signalled fundamental technological changes in shipbuilding.
The Baltic Sea offers ideal conditions for preserving wood due to its low-oxygen and cold brackish water. Unlike in the world's oceans, there are no shipworms in the Mare Balticum that destroy wooden structures. It is estimated that there are up to 100,000 wrecks at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, many of which are exceptionally well preserved.
In recent years, significant relics and wrecks have been repeatedly recorded on the seabed in the region. For example, divers discovered an old cargo of champagne on another historic ship in Swedish waters as recently as 2024.
There is currently no information on the identity of the ship, a possible salvage or further investigations. The Kalmar County Administrative Board has announced that it will carry out further analyses.
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Lasse Johannsen
Deputy Editor in Chief YACHT
