Kalverev Syd: Report on the Excavation and Documentation of a Mid-13th Century Shipwreck from Storstrømmen, Denmark

Abstract

ABSTRACT Prior to the building of a new bridge over the Storstrømmen sound, the Viking Ship Museum performed an archaeological survey of the affected area. During the survey, medieval ship timbers were encountered, leading to the excavation of the aft port section of the bottom of a clinker-built vessel with external caulking laths and sintels. The building of the vessel is dendrochronologically dated to ca. AD 1250-55. The find was documented in situ using 3D photogrammetry and subsequently salvaged and acquired for further 3D laser scan documentation and conservation. This process is presented here in great detail, enabling the reader to build upon our experience, and thus contributing to the rapidly evolving best practise for underwater 3D recording. Additionally, a comprehensive programme of scientific analyses was initiated leading to elaboration on the interesting insights into the vessel’s working life.