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Research conducted by Boel Bengtsson and colleagues from the University of Gothenburg has shed light on the maritime capabilities of Bronze Age populations in Denmark, suggesting they may have been able to navigate directly to Norway across open waters. This study, published on April 2, 2025, in the journal PLOS One, introduces a groundbreaking computer modeling tool aimed at enhancing our understanding of ancient seafaring.
The cultural parallels between Bronze Age communities in northern Denmark and southwestern Norway are notable, evident in their shared artifacts, burial customs, and architectural styles. While previous theories primarily focused on coastal routes—a 700-kilometer passage that would have involved traveling up the Danish coast and through Swedish waters—Bengtsson’s research raises the possibility that these ancient peoples also ventured directly across more than 100 kilometers of open sea.
To explore this hypothesis, the research team devised a sophisticated modeling program that integrates various environmental data, including ocean currents and wind patterns, with the dynamics of vessel navigation. Their simulations specifically reconstructed the Hjortspring boat, a sizeable paddle-driven canoe dating back to around 350 BCE, to analyze its performance under different conditions.
Findings from their simulations indicate that Bronze Age seafarers possessed the skills necessary to undertake direct ocean crossings between Denmark and Norway, provided they utilized boats capable of enduring wave heights of up to one meter and wind speeds reaching 10 knots. Successful navigation would have depended heavily on accurate weather forecasting and skillful seamanship, suggesting that such endeavors were likely limited to the summer months. Conversely, following the coastal route, while safer and viable throughout the year, would have been a more time-consuming journey that required several weeks and numerous stops to replenish supplies.
Beyond the immediate implications for understanding Bronze Age maritime activities, the authors emphasize that their modeling framework could be applied to study the seafaring capabilities of various historical vessels, granted sufficient data on their design and specifications.
The researchers conclude their study by stating: “Through innovative agent-based simulations, utilizing performance data for Bronze Age Scandinavian boats, we provide evidence that regular open sea crossings of the Skagerrak began by approximately 2300 BC, in line with archaeological findings.” This work not only highlights the advanced maritime skills of ancient communities but also opens avenues for further exploration into seafaring in prehistoric contexts.
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