Two centuries-old shipwrecks found off the coast of Cahuita, Costa Rica, have been confirmed as the remains of two Danish slave ships from the early 18th century, according to groundbreaking research led by marine archaeologist Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch of the Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Denmark).
For years, local legends in Costa Rica suggested these shipwrecks were remnants of pirate vessels. However, discoveries in 2015 of distinctive yellow Flensborg-sten (Flensburg bricks) near the wrecks sparked theories of a Danish connection. Now, after extensive scientific analysis, these suspicions have been confirmed: the ships are the Fridericus Quartus and the Christianus Quintus, both lost in 1710.
Timber Analysis Links Shipwrecks to Denmark
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from the timber recovered from the shipwrecks. Detailed dendrochronological studies reveal that the wood dates back to between 1690 and 1695 and originates from the western Baltic region, including Denmark, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg, and Skåne. The characteristics of the timber perfectly match the materials used for Danish shipbuilding during that period.
Additionally, the timber’s charred condition aligns with historical accounts that Fridericus Quartus was set on fire before sinking, further strengthening the case for their Danish origin.
Artifacts Narrow Down the Timeline
Further corroborating the timeline are clay pipes retrieved from the wrecks. Analysis by archaeologist Peter Andreas Toft from the Nationalmuseet dated one pipe’s production between 1706 and 1708. The design of the pipe, particularly the size of its smoke hole, fits the era when tobacco became cheaper and smoking habits changed.
These artifacts provide crucial clues, narrowing the possible timeframe of the shipwrecks and aligning with historical records of the Danish vessels.
Flensborg-sten Bricks Confirm the Cargo
Another critical piece of evidence lies in the yellow bricks discovered at the wreck sites. Produced in Flensburg, Denmark, these bricks were used as ballast on Danish ships and intended for construction in the Danish West Indies, specifically on St. Thomas. Each ship reportedly carried about 40,000 bricks.
Recent analyses conducted by the University of Southern Denmark confirmed that the clay used for these bricks originates from the Iller Strand or Egernsund regions near Flensburg Fjord. The findings reinforce the identification of the wrecks as Danish slave ships.
The Historical Context and Significance
In 1708, the Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus set sail with around 840 enslaved Africans aboard, destined for the Danish West Indies. However, they veered off course by approximately 2,000 kilometers, missing their target. Starvation and thirst plagued the crew and captives, ultimately leading to mutiny. The Fridericus Quartus was deliberately set on fire, while Christianus Quintus lost its anchor and succumbed to the surf near Costa Rica.
The rediscovery and identification of these shipwrecks are not just significant for maritime history but also for understanding the roots of Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean community. “It is vital to understand how we got to where we are and why we are the way we are,” emphasized Bloch. Local leader Helen Simmons Wilson highlighted that recognizing this history could play a crucial role in improving conditions and visibility for Afro-Costa Rican communities.
International Collaboration Unveils History
The project was a collaborative effort between the national museums of Costa Rica and Denmark, the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, the University of Southern Denmark, the Archaeological Commission of Costa Rica, and local NGO Centro Comunitario de Buceo Embajadores y Embajadoras del Mar.
Although only one shipwreck provided analyzable timber, Bloch expressed high confidence that both wrecks are the lost Danish vessels. “It is absolutely impossible to imagine another case in history that matches,” he said.
The discovery is not only a testament to scientific collaboration but also a poignant reminder of Denmark’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade—a history still influencing societies across the Atlantic today.
