Fingerprint in resin: who built the oldest boat in Scandinavia.

According to ТСН: Scientists made a unique discovery - a fingerprint in ancient resin used for sealing the oldest known wooden boat in Scandinavia. This established a direct link to the sea warriors who used this vessel over two thousand years ago, as well as new information about their origins.

Unveiling ancient mysteries

Research conducted by Lund University included a detailed analysis of the resin found on the boat and shed light on the ancient debate about the origins of the sea raiders who attacked the island of Als near modern-day Denmark in the 4th century BC.

Historical data indicates that a small fleet of four boats raided the island but was defeated. After the battle, the island's defenders may have left the attackers' weapons and one of the boats in the swamp as a ritual offering in sign of victory.

“Where these sea warriors came from and why they attacked the island of Als has remained a mystery for decades,” said archaeologist Mikael Fowel from Lund University.

Discovery of Hjortspring

The boat, known as Hjortspring, was discovered in the Hjortspring Mose bog in the late 19th century, with extensive excavations conducted in the 1920s. This is the only known prehistoric boat in Scandinavia, built from wooden planks. Thanks to intentional submersion in the bog, it has been preserved in excellent condition. Today, the boat is exhibited in the National Museum of Denmark.

Recently, researchers discovered parts of the vessel without chemical preservatives, allowing for the implementation of modern scientific analysis methods. It turned out that the boat was sealed with pine resin, indicating its origin from a region rich in pine forests.

“This is important evidence. It indicates that the vessel was built not where it was found,” explained Fowel.

New findings and research methods

Previously, scientists believed that the boat and its crew might have originated from modern Hamburg, but now, according to new data, they may have arrived from the Baltic region.

“If the vessel was built on the coast of the Baltic Sea, it means that the attackers crossed hundreds of kilometers of open sea to carry out the raid,” emphasized the archaeologist.

The site where the fingerprint was found still requires further research. The most accurate method for determining the boat's origin may be dendrochronological analysis - the study of annual rings of wood, which will link the material to a specific region.

Scientists also hope to extract ancient DNA from the resin, which may provide more information about the people who built and used this boat.

This discovery resulted from the persistent work of the research team, which examined the archives of the National Museum of Denmark, old letters, and documentation.

“When we found several boxes with primary excavation samples that had not been studied for over 100 years, it was extremely exciting,” said Fowel.

For analysis, scientists employed radiocarbon dating, X-ray tomography, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. A digital 3D model of the fingerprint was also created, and the ropes used during the construction of the vessel were reconstructed.

The results obtained open a new perspective on maritime raids, shipbuilding technologies, and the movement of people in Northern Europe over two thousand years ago.