In the Wadden Sea near Texel, a wardrobe with clothes from the 17th century was discovered on a sunken ship. The contents of the closet surprised the researchers, because the clothes were preserved in very good condition. A professor at the University of Amsterdam says: "Rarely, if ever, has such a large find been made in a marine context."
Traces of hundreds of sunken ships were found near the coast of Texel, near Oudeschild. Among them are the ships of the Golden Age. Sometimes, sunken ships and things that were transported remain in a well-preserved condition under the sand. But due to sea currents, the sand is washed away, and the ship's contents undergo significant deterioration.
A dress of the 17th century was found.
This time, experts are amazed by the quality of the large number of finds. Among the large wardrobe, in excellent condition, a cloak, stockings and bodice of satin, with gold and silver threads. An exclusive dress, richly decorated, stands out.
Book cover with gold-printed coat of arms of the English royal family of Stuart.
Also, experts list other, no less important finds: a variety of tableware, Italian ceramics, aromas from Greece and Turkey, a pencil case, a comb, book covers with a gold-printed coat of arms of the English Royal Stuart family.
Pencils case.
The stockings were found among the things on the sunken ship.
"Since everything is kept together on the ship, like a time capsule, this find can give a huge insight into life and work on board, about what trade relations existed at the time and what the political situation was like".
Experts from the State Museum, the University of Amsterdam and the Netherlands Agency for Cultural Heritage (RCE) consider the discovered items to be one of the most important finds in Europe.
Until May, you can admire the exhibition at the Kaar Skil Museum in Texel. The objects will then be sent to Huis van Hilde, the archaeological center of North Holland, for research.
