A remarkable discovery has been made in the depths of the Baltic Sea, where a 15th-century weapons chest has been found aboard the sunken Danish royal warship, Gribshunden. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of naval warfare during a period known as the ‘military revolution at sea.’ The chest, believed to be a tool chest used to create ammunition, is providing valuable insights into the tactics and technology employed by naval forces in the late Middle Ages.
Archaeological findings in the wreck of the Danish royal warship “Gribshunden” have revealed a chest containing tools for producing lead ammunition for early handguns. This discovery suggests that naval warfare was undergoing significant changes in the 15th century, transitioning from close-quarters combat to long-range gunfire. The chest, identified as a “zeuglade” for ammunition production, also hints at the presence of German mercenaries on board the ship at the time of its sinking.
