Routinely, archaeologists monitor such excavations in case archaeologically interesting finds would emerge. This summer, it was precisely when the courtyard was to be lowered.
Parts of an old wooden hull were discovered under the courtyard. Now analysis and identification is done with the help of marine archaeologists from the Norwegian Maritime and Transport History museums.
The wreckage is most likely to come from the Swedish ship Samson.
Built in pine- Everything we have pointed out is Samson dating, the provenance (origin) of the timber, shipbuilding technology and size, says Philip Tonemar at the Archaeological Consultant who commissioned the survey on behalf of the county administrative board.
Duke Karl ordered the fitted cargo ship in 1598. It was built by Anders Pedersson in Enånger in Hälsingland. The wood's annual rings are from the 1590s.
-A bargain from this transition period between the older and newer shipbuilding era is very unusual. There are really no other direct examples, says Philip Tonemar.
Today, only a part of the bottom of one hull remains from Samson, from the keel stock to the so-called blow. The remains will remain covered with ground cloth and protective material, preserved for the future.