JOHAN RÖNNBY, SÖDERTÖRN UNIVERSITY
Posted on 08/15/2015 12:55:30 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Representing a ferocious looking creature with lion ears and crocodile-like mouth, the 660-pound figurehead stood at the prow of a ship. It was carved from the top of an 11-foot-long beam.
According to experts at Blekinge museum, which was involved in the salvage effort, the “monster” was part of the Gribshunden, a 15th-century warship belonging to the Danish King Hans.
The ship was anchored in Ronneby when it sunk in 1495 after a fire. A contemporary of Christopher Columbus’ flagship Santa Maria, the wreck is considered to be the best-preserved example of a 15th-century ship.
Very few wrecks from that period have escaped the ravages of sea worms.
According to Marcus Sandekjer, head of the Blekinge Museum, the figurehead is unique.
“No similar item from the 15th century has ever been found anywhere in the world,” he said.
The intricately carved monster was meant to frighten the enemy.
“There seems to be something in his mouth. There seems to be a person in its mouth and he’s eating somebody,” Johan Rönnby, professor of maritime archaeology at Södertörn University, told the BBC.
Sandekjer believes it looks like a monstrous dog.
“It may depict the very ‘Grip Dog’ that the name of the ship — Gribshunden — reflects,” he said in a statement.
The archaeologists are hoping to bring more of the wreck to the surface.
“The ship comes from a time just when Columbus was sailing across the ocean and Vasco da Gama also went to India,” Sandekjer said.
“The wreck may give clues to the building methods used for those journeys,” he added.
The “monster” is now resting in a waterbath at the Blekinge Museum storehouse, waiting for the preservation procedure.
“Last time it looked at the world, Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus were still living,” Rönnby said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.discovery.com ...
JOHAN RÖNNBY, SÖDERTÖRN UNIVERSITY
No. This “Sea Monster” article has nothing to do with either Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama.
OMG! That’s funny. I scrolled down quickly to see the figure. You got me. I’m disgusted, but you got me.
Now see what happens? ;’)
well done!
See? I KNEW that! LOL!
Lucky they have it strapped down tight. I’ve seen one of those loose and it’d take out all those sightseers before pouring flame into the seaside village and swimming back to sea never to be seen again. People should just leave well enough alone.
Yeah, at least under the water there was no fire risk. ;’)
I don’t take risks. I’m insured above and below. Friends laugh and say you’re underwater, but they’ll learn.
;’)
There sure is something in its mouth.
Thanks, I’m not getting the image here, but I’ve been having some problems online.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
