Archaeologists have uncovered two 18th-century shipwrecks off the coast of Central America, identified as Danish slave ships, Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus. Initially thought to be pirate vessels, their true nature was revealed after extensive excavation and analysis of the ships' remains. Excavated in 2023 near Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica, the ships show significant decay after 315 years. Research included dendrochronological analysis, proving the wood's origins from Northern Europe and confirming historical records of one ship being purposely set ablaze.
"Fridericus Quartus was set ablaze, while Christianus Quintus had its anchor rope cut, following which the ship was wrecked in the surf," the museum's press release noted.
"The timbers originate in the western part of the Baltic Sea, an area that encompasses the northeastern German province of Mecklenburg, as well as Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark and Scania..."
"Until now, it has not been clear exactly where the ships were lost," experts noted about the significance of the discovery.
"The wood is, moreover, charred and sooty, which confirms what historical sources say about one of the ships being set ablaze."
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