Characterizing the Deceased Mariners of the Swedish Warship Vasa : An Analysis of Personal Possessions Found in Association with Human Remains

Abstract

On August 10, 1628, as onlookers watched in dismay, the newest and most powerful warship in Northern Europe, a symbol of the prestige and power of Sweden and Sweden's King Gustav II Adolf, heeled over and sank in Stockholm Harbor. At least 30 people lost their lives as Vasa, sails set, descended to the harbor bottom. Intact shipwrecks, such as Vasa, and their associated artifacts prove valuable in revealing the character of historic seamen. They actively reflect this once familiar lifestyle, allowing archaeologists to determine not only the ship's culture but also aspects of its former parent culture. This study seeks to understand shipboard life via an examination of thirteen sailors, two female passengers, and their personal possessions. The primary goals are to identify the distinctive features of a typical sailor on board the Vasa and to determine those features' historical significance. This research considers the history, material, construction, design, and function of 277 artifacts associated with Vasa's human remains. The examination includes the identification, cultural analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of these artifacts.