Archaeologists Confirm Idenтιтy of 17th-century Dutch Warship

According to the heritage body Historic England, a 17th-century shipwreck off the coast of southern England has been identified as the Dutch warship Klein Hollandia.

Archaeologists Confirm Idenтιтy of 17th-century Dutch Warship The ship, built in 1656 and owned by the Admiralty of Rotterdam, was involved in every major battle during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667).

After a surprise attack by an English squadron in 1672, it sunk and has lain 32 meters (105 feet) under water ever since.

The 44-gun Klein Hollandia, dubbed the “Unknown Wreck off Eastbourne” because it was discovered near the seaside resort, was identified through research by the agency and Dutch counterparts working with nautical archaeologists.

Historic England specialists collaborated with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) and the Nautical Archaeological Society on the identification throughout the past year, according to a statement from Historic England.

The investigations gathered evidence from professional and volunteer divers, archival research, and dendrochronological (tree ring) analysis of wood samples.

“The condition of the wreck is remarkable and could offer a wealth of information about how 17th-century Dutch ships were built and the activities of the warship during its final voyage,” Historic England said in the statement.

Much of the wooden hull, cannons, Italian marble tiles, and fragments of Italian ceramics were discovered on the seabed. The marble tiles were sourced from the Apuan Alps quarries close to Carrara, Italy. Prior to the investigations, they were preserved by Historic England archaeological conservators. The marble tiles were bound for the Netherlands, where they would have been used to build high-status homes.

Lord Parkinson., the heritage minister, said: “The identification of the Klein Hollandia offers a glimpse back into the 17th century, giving us a chance to learn more about the maritime history of this period and to uncover treasures which have been underwater for hundreds of years.”

“Uncovering the story of the warship Klein Hollandia opens up another fascinating chapter in the already rich, shared maritime history between the UK and the Netherlands,” said Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England.

Related Posts

Forgotten Indigenous child slaves of New France revealed in new studies

Forgotten Indigenous child slaves of New France revealed in new studies

Historical accounts between 1632 and 1760 show a chilling reality: 734 Indigenous children were enslaved in France’s North American colony. These children, torn from their families and…

Exceptionally preserved Roman wicker well with ladder unearthed in Norfolk

Exceptionally preserved Roman wicker well with ladder unearthed in Norfolk

Archaeologists at Oxford Archaeology have uncovered an astonishingly well-preserved Roman-era well in Norfolk, England, that offers rare insight into the lives of people in Roman Britain some…

Ancient Egyptian genome reveals 4,500-year-old genetic ties to Mesopotamia

Ancient Egyptian genome reveals 4,500-year-old genetic ties to Mesopotamia

For the first time, scientists have successfully sequenced the complete genome of an individual from ancient Egypt, offering unprecedented insights into early Egyptian ancestry and revealing a…

Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore

Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore

Neanderthals in central Germany 125,000 years ago employed an advanced method of food preparation, according to a recent study: systematically stripping fat from the bones of large…

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Archaeologists excavating at Magna, or Carvoran, a Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England, have uncovered an amazing treasure trove of ancient leather shoes—many of them…

Hymn to Babylon discovered, revealing ancient Mesopotamian city life

Hymn to Babylon discovered, revealing ancient Mesopotamian city life

In a collaboration between Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and the University of Baghdad, an ancient Babylonian hymn dating back over two millennia has been rediscovered…