Archaeologists have recently identified two 18th-century Danish slave ships, Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus, off the coast of Costa Rica. The ships, which sank in 1710, were discovered to have transported approximately 600-700 African slaves, according to National Museum of Denmark archaeologist David John Gregory. The findings shed new light on the transatlantic slave trade and its role in history.
Gregory explained that the ships were set ablaze by their crew before stranding on the Costa Rican coast, with many of the enslaved individuals released onshore. ‘Almost all of the enslaved were released on the forested coast except for about 20 people, who were forced onboard smaller vessels heading for the nearby Spanish town of Portobello,’ he said. This discovery has provided a rare glimpse into the brutal realities faced by enslaved Africans during this period.
The team confirmed the origin of the ships through dendrochronological analysis, which indicated the wooden timbers came from Northern Europe, specifically the western Baltic Sea region. The wood was also found to be charred, confirming historical accounts of one of the ships being set on fire. Divers also recovered yellow clay bricks and piping, further suggesting a Danish origin for the vessels.
Gregory described the excavation as ‘minimal,’ focusing on collecting samples of the ship’s timber. He noted that no human remains were disturbingly encountered or disturbed during the process. The discovery has sparked significant interest in the history of Denmark’s involvement in the slave trade, with experts emphasizing its importance in understanding the broader historical context of forced migration and colonialism.
Archaeologist Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch of the National Museum of Denmark called the project ‘the craziest archaeological excavation I’ve yet been part of.’ He highlighted its significance to the local population and its role in completing the historical record of Denmark’s past. ‘This provides two pieces that have been missing from the history of Denmark,’ he said, underscoring the importance of the find in filling historical gaps.