Medieval ship hull discovered in German cellar ceiling

Archaeologists in Constance, Germany, have discovered that the ceiling of a medieval cellar was constructed using the remains of an old ship. The cellar, which dates back to 1244, was undergoing an architectural investigation when specialists from the State Office for Monument Preservation identified timber covering more than 25 square metres that had originally been part of a vessel.

While recycling timber from decommissioned ships was a known practice during the Middle Ages, researchers noted the scale of this find is exceptional. The ceiling contains at least 19 planks identified as ship components through features such as wooden pegs and fastening holes, suggesting that an almost complete section of a hull may have been reused.

Dendrochronological analysis is currently being conducted on timber samples to determine the age of the vessel. Dr. Aline Kottmann, a specialist in medieval archaeology, stated that while the reuse of planks was initially expected, the realization that they belonged to a ship was a “complete surprise.” The discovery is expected to provide new insights into medieval shipbuilding techniques on Lake Constance.