Medieval Ship in Tallinn Built by Lithuanian Craftsmen

Researchers from the University of Tartu, the Estonian Maritime Museum, and Copenhagen determined a 14th-century ship discovered in Tallinn, Estonia, originated with builders in Lithuania. Excavation for a new office building in 2022 revealed the cog. Dendrochronology revealed the ship’s lower hull was constructed from oak felled on the Lithuanian coast between 1370 and 1372.

The upper parts of the vessel, including the galley, were built with wood felled in the winter of 1373-1374 near Tallinn, suggesting the ship sailed north for final outfitting. Despite using some brittle wood containing “moon rings,” builders reinforced vulnerable planks, indicating knowledge of structural weaknesses.

The ship, named Lootsi cog, sank relatively quickly after construction, showing no signs of extensive repairs. Researchers also discovered evidence of a rat population that had established itself on board. The findings were published in the journal Dendrochronologia.