Underwater archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered a remarkable discovery in the wreck of the 15th-century Danish warship “Gribshunden”: a chest filled with tools for manufacturing lead shot for early handguns. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of naval warfare during that era and hints at the ship’s involvement in the transition from traditional close-combat tactics to long-range gunfire.
The chest, identified as a “zeuglade,” is a treasure trove of tools used to produce ammunition for handguns, including molds for casting ball-shaped shots, lead plates for melting down, and cylindrical canisters resembling gunpowder containers. These findings suggest that the Gribshunden may have carried a company of German-speaking mercenaries who utilized firearms in their combat tactics.
The presence of elevated combat platforms on the Gribshunden’s bow and stern further supports the notion of a shift towards long-range warfare. These platforms provided soldiers with a vantage point to unleash a barrage of arrows and gunfire upon their adversaries. This discovery adds to the significance of the Gribshunden as the earliest known vessel to incorporate such structural features for enhanced combat capabilities.
The Gribshunden’s wreck has yielded a wealth of new information that illuminates the intricacies of naval warfare in the 15th century. The ship’s sinking provides a glimpse into the challenges and advancements that shaped maritime conflict, paving the way for the widespread adoption of gunpowder weapons and long-range combat strategies in the centuries that followed.
