For two weeks, the Norwegian Defense Research Institute and NTNU have mapped selected areas, looking for dump sites for ammunition in Mjøsa. The surveys have mainly taken place on the west side of Helgøya and outside Toten cove. But the submarine Hugin also found something completely different. The shipwreck that has now been discovered may be 700 years old. – Based on what our archaeologists say, and based on the appearance of the boat, the boat can be dated to somewhere between the 14th and 19th centuries. So it could potentially be the oldest boat we have ever found in Mjøsa. That’s what Gro Kvanli Dæhlin, vice-chancellor at NTNU in Gjøvik, says. OLDEST: Archaeologists date the wreck to somewhere between the 14th and 19th centuries and it may thus be the oldest ever found in Mjøsa. Photo: FFI and NTNU Environmental bombs and shipwrecks The goal of the investigations was actually to find ammunition and explosives that were dumped in Mjøsa for a number of years after the war. Large quantities of war relics from the Germans ended up in Norway’s largest lake. In the following decades, Mjøsa was also used for this purpose, among others by Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikk. – We know that a lot of ammunition has been dumped in Mjøsa. We know that we have run-off from agriculture and that’s how we think; How does this work in the long term? How will we manage to maintain good water values in Mjøsa for future generations. That was the background for Assignment Mjøsa, says Gro Kvanli Dæhlin. Cultural relics under water But there is much more than ammunition to be found at the bottom of Mjøsa. The lake has also been used as a dumping ground for both car wrecks, industrial waste and much more. EXCITING: Vice-chancellor at NTNU Gjøvik, Gro Kvanli Dæhlin, believes they can find even more shipwrecks at the bottom of Mjøsa. Photo: Frode Meskau / news The dumped material is poorly mapped, and it is potentially dangerous. That is why the work being done now to map what is found at the bottom is so important. It also includes possible cultural monuments, such as shipwrecks. Since it has been known that boats from the Viking Age can be partially preserved, archaeologists have also been involved in the work that has been going on for the past few weeks. Gro Kvanli Dæhlin at NTNU is excited about the discovery of the special shipwreck. – It is very exciting that we have now found cultural monuments in Mjøsa. More boats in deep water The wreck of DS Lillehammer, which was built in 1908 and sunk in deep water in 1975, has also now been found. SUNKEN: The wreck of DS Lillehammer has also now been found. This boat was sunk in the 70s. Photo: FFI and NTNU – We knew roughly where it had gone down, but now they have found it, says Kvanli Dæhlin. And it is conceivable that they will find more boats as well. Mjøsmuseet is aware of several. – Yes, we may find more. Because Mjøsa is really a treasure trove. The submarine Hugin collects data using advanced sonar technology that provides detailed images of everything on the bottom. When data from Hugin shows findings, the researchers from NTNU and FFI can go down with an underwater camera and collect more data.
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Have found shipwrecks at the bottom of Mjøsa – may be Viking ships – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
