The discovery was possible thanks to the special characteristics of the Baltic, a semi-closed sea with low oxygen levels.

“The wreck is in such good condition because of the strange Baltic environment. The low salinity here is unsuited for shipworm, which eat wood in the world’s ocean system. The sea floor is a fine clay, ideal for preserving organic material, and low dissolved oxygen levels further contribute to preservation of organics,” said Brendan Foley of Lund University, who supervised the excavations.