"I had to rub my eyes when I realised the extent of the find," says Hanna Geiran, Director General of the Norwegian heritage authority Riksantikvaren. In addition to the ship, which probably sank in the middle of the 18th century, the sensational find also includes an exceptionally well-preserved cargo of Chinese porcelain. Archaeologists have also recovered chandeliers, chalice glasses, textiles, grain and crates that apparently contained tea, herbs and medicines.
"This find is not only extraordinary, it is also of considerable scientific value and demonstrates an important technological advance in underwater archaeology. It provides us with new and valuable insights into Norway's and Northern Europe's maritime history," emphasises Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment.
A watchmaker makes the find of his life
The wreck was found by Espen Saastad, a master watchmaker who, in addition to his business in Porsgrunn, also runs a small company specialising in remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and surveying technology. Saastad, a professional diver who also carries out seabed surveys with his equipment, caught something in September last year that he immediately realised was very special.
He reported the find to the authorities and then contacted the archaeologists at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, with whom he is now involved in investigating the wreck and recovering artefacts.
600 metres deep - and yet almost untouched
"No archaeological investigation in northern Europe has ever been carried out at this depth and in such an open sea area," says Frode Kvalø, marine archaeologist at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, who is leading the porcelain wreck project. "Even worldwide, there are only a handful of projects comparable to this one."
In May 2026, marine archaeologists spent several days examining the wreck from a research vessel. They recovered samples and artefacts representing the different types of material found. The work was carried out using an ROV equipped with a robotic arm, a suction device and camera systems. It was connected to the research vessel by a kilometre-long cable and was controlled from a control room on board.
The ship: Presumably a galeote
Researchers believe that the ship was a galeote - a small cargo ship that mainly operated within northern Europe. It had two masts and is estimated to have been around 22 metres long. Ships of this type typically had a crew of five or six.
The porcelain must have come from a place where such goods were auctioned, such as Gothenburg, Copenhagen or Amsterdam. One inconspicuous find is particularly revealing: a brick from the Lübeck Ratsziegelei, a brickworks that was in operation from the 15th century until 1772. The brick comes from the galley and bears a maker's mark that reveals its origin. Grains of cereal were also taken for DNA analysis, which the researchers hope will provide further insights.
The ship's hull appears to lie almost upright on its keel. Two anchors were found at the bow, and at the stern the structural connection between the keel and the transom is visible with the sternpost. The rudder is missing.
Milestone for underwater archaeology
"This discovery marks the beginning of a new era for Norwegian archaeology. Shipwrecks found on the coast are often damaged or already plundered. Our discovery in open waters at such a depth gives us the opportunity to study a remarkably well-preserved time capsule. It is a rare opportunity to gain access to the past," says Nina Refseth, Director of the Norwegian Folk Museum Foundation.
The ship and its cargo are exceptionally well preserved. Part of the reason for this is that the preservation conditions at such great depths are exceptionally favourable. In addition, the wreck was safe from trawls there. It must also have sunk very quickly and almost straight down, as it stands on the seabed in roughly the same position as it floated on the surface. Most of the cargo therefore remained on board.
Protection, promotion and soon in the museum
The wreck is automatically protected by the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act. The Norwegian Heritage Agency has allocated 2.9 million Norwegian kroner for the work.
"The salvage work underlines the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History Foundation's unique range of expertise and its ability to carry out complex projects that advance research and serve the public interest," says Norway's Minister of Culture, Lubna Jaffery.
It is planned that the rare cargo will eventually be exhibited at the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo. A selection of objects will be exhibited in June, giving the public a unique opportunity to see them before they are sent for further analysis.
