Archaeologists have uncovered a significant historical find off the coast of Central America: two 18th-century shipwrecks, long believed to be pirate vessels, have been identified as Danish slave ships.
The wrecks, Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus, lie in the shallow waters near Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park. Both vessels met their demise in 1710, as documented by the National Museum of Denmark. According to their press release, Fridericus Quartus was last seen engulfed in flames, while Christianus Quintus foundered after its anchor rope was cut, leaving it to be battered by the surf.
“The precise locations of these shipwrecks remained elusive until now,” the museum stated.
Recent photographs reveal divers meticulously examining the remnants, which bear the scars of over 300 years submerged in the ocean. Remarkably, the full significance of the ships wasn’t understood until recent excavations—up until that point, they had been thought to belong to pirates.
The archaeological team undertook an investigation that included extracting wood samples from the ships and analyzing yellow bricks, which formed part of the cargo. They employed dendrochronology—tree-ring dating—to trace the origins of the timber, ultimately discovering that it came from Northern Europe.
“The wood can be traced back to the western Baltic Sea region, covering areas in northeastern Germany, as well as Denmark and Scania,” the release clarified. “Notably, the timber shows evidence of having been charred, corroborating historical accounts that report one of the ships caught fire.”
The divers also retrieved clay pipes, described by the museum as ordinary Dutch-made items that were commonly used aboard Danish ships. The pipes, dated to just before the ships sank, carried distinctive shapes and designs, signaling that they were likely manufactured within the few years leading up to the wreck in 1710.
Pictures from the excavation also spotlight remarkable yellow bricks that survived the wreck. Produced in Flensburg, these bricks were intended for use in Denmark and its colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries. Interestingly, other European regions opted for different building materials at that time.
The clay sources for these bricks can be traced back to Denmark, specifically from Iller Strand or Egernsund, both situated along Flensburg Fjord, known for its significant brick production in the 18th century.
As researchers analyzed the samples at the National Museum of Denmark and the University of Southern Denmark, their findings aligned with historical records regarding the ships’ histories.
David Gregory, a marine archaeologist at the National Museum of Denmark, expressed satisfaction with the surprising conclusions. “The results fit perfectly with historical accounts, confirming that these are indeed the wrecks of the two Danish slave ships,” he stated. “The timber and bricks are undeniably Danish, and the charred condition of the wood corresponds precisely with reports of one of the ships being set ablaze.”
Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch, another marine archaeologist involved in the project, reflected on the painstaking journey to this revelation. “I had nearly reached my limit during this long research process,” Bloch admitted, “but the results have truly astounded me.”
“This excavation is undoubtedly the most remarkable of my career, not just for its archaeological importance but also because it holds significant meaning for the local community,” he added. “We can now pinpoint one of the most dramatic shipwrecks in Danish history, filling in critical gaps in Denmark’s maritime narrative.”
For more details, Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Museum of Denmark.
