After approximately 800 years, a medieval barge has been recovered from Arendsee Lake in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The recovery, led by Sven Thomas from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology, took about eight hours using chains, winches, and a diving robot. This marks the first time a medieval ship of this kind has been found floating in Arendsee.
The ship was found at a depth of 35 meters and has since been placed on a platform in the lake. Numerous artifacts, including bones, building materials, fishing tools, pottery, and ropes, were discovered on the ship. These findings provide valuable insights into medieval life and technology.
The nearly complete preservation of the wreck allows archaeologists to examine metal fittings and handmade metal rails, offering new perspectives on the construction and function of medieval barges. The discovery highlights the rich history hidden beneath the lake's surface, with previous finds including a 4600-year-old fishing device and millstones.