Open day for Rutten shipwreck on Saturday 30 June

On Saturday next, 30 June, the University of Groningen is organizing an open day at the wreck of an early 18th-century merchant vessel near Rutten, Flevoland. Visitors are welcome to view the excavations between 1 and 4 p.m.

The excavation of the heavily armed merchant vessel officially started on 6 June 2018. The ship measures between 30 and 35 metres and probably sank in the Zuiderzee between 1715 and 1720. There is a strong suspicion that it is an English ship with connections in the Mediterranean. As well as the hull, a great deal of the port side has been discovered, including the lowermost deck and the deck above that, including the gun ports. Maritime archaeologist Yftinus van Popta of the UG: ‘We have found an exceptionally complete and well-preserved combination of cargo, inventory, rigging and armament.’

A small selection of the finds will be on display during the open day

Many objects have already been found and recovered during the excavation of the sunken merchant vessel. The archaeologists have found clothing, shoes, spoons, ship’s rigging, tools, lots of bullets and four cannons. The wreck and the excavated objects will be inventoried and researched at the UG in the months to come. Where possible the material will be conserved and stored. The excavations will continue until the end of August. One of the excavated cannons.

Parking for cars and bicycles at the site

Visitors are urged not to park on the side of the road. Parking facilities have been arranged at Hopweg 43 in Rutten. Traffic controllers will be present. A dirt path leads from the parking area to the excavation site. It takes about 15 mins to walk to the site, between a ditch and a field of crops. It is forbidden to walk across the field of crops to prevent damage. If you are not able to walk, a small minibus will be driving to and from the site.

The site is only open on Saturday afternoon

This is because it is in the middle of a ploughed field. The archaeologists and the farmers must be able to continue their work undisturbed. During the summer, the Emmeloord town hall will be holding a small exhibition of the results of the excavation.