Sculpture from the warship Riksäpplet which sank in 1676. By Niklas Eriksson.
The Swedish standing navy relied to a high degree on foreign knowledge and competence. The well-preserved shipwrecks thus represent technical and architectonical influences from various corners of Europe. This makes the archaeology of Swedish warships – such as in this subproject – unique.
Early modern naval architecture developed fast, and different navies established their own technologies, methods of construction and architectural style. By looking at a ship, a trained eye could detect if its naval architect worked in a Dutch, English or French manner.
This subproject studies material remains as well as historical sources, ship images and models. Styles and techniques of shipbuilding are used as a starting point to examine the circulation of practical and theoretical knowledge of shipbuilding.
This subproject is a part of the research programmes historical and archaeological module.
The subproject will result in a major monograph: The History of Swedish Naval Architecture 1450–1850, along with several more in-depth case studies.
The History of Swedish Naval Architecture 1450-1850 and Circulation of Knowledge.
Project leader
Niklas Eriksson, archaeologist, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University
E-mail: Niklas.eriksson@ark.su.se