On 3th April 2019 in the national news broadcasts, the morning after full page in almost all national newspapers: a shipwreck from 16th century found in the North Sea! Seger van den Brenk, director of Archeomare, the archaeological branch of the Periplus Group, is closely involved in the discovery and salvage of these copper findings.

When salvaging the containers that fell from the deck of the MSC Zoe in the North Sea in January, the remains of a wooden cargo ship loaded with copper plates were found. Periplus, closely involved in mapping the seabed and with broad experience in hydrographic archeology, immediately stepped forward to aid the investigation, salvation and securing of the ship's remains and cargo.

Now, after a thorough initial investigation and a broad collaboration between several specialists and (government-) agencies, it was established that this is the first known carvel-built ship found in the North Sea. A sensational discovery! Because of this carvel-built construction, ships became larger and faster. That is why the wealthy banker family Fugger chose this ship in the early 16th century to transport over 4,700 kilos of copper plates from its copper mines in Slovakia across the North Sea. Around 1540 AD the ship sunk there.

Further research will be done in the coming months. We will keep you informed. Because:

Periplus brings the marine environment to the surface!

More info (Dutch press):

Experts over schat in scheepswrak: ‘Alsof je een pinpas vindt van 500 jaar oud’ - AD - 3 april 2019

Bergers MSC Zoë doen unieke vondst: een 16e-eeuws scheepswrak - NOS - 3 april 2019

More info (International press):

Olanda, scoperti resti di una storica nave durante la bonifica dei fondali dai container della MSC Zoe - La Stampa - 3 april 2019