A mysterious shipwreck measuring over 70 meters long was found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
The discovery was made by Lithuanian state energy company Ignitis Group around 120 square kilometers from the coast as it examined the seabed for a wind farm project.
It discovered a ship 230 feet long and 20 feet high. The ship was unexplored and hidden for decades.
According to Ignitis Group, the sunken boat was 125 feet below the ocean's surface.
Researchers are working to identify its origin as it was found in an area where 19 shipwrecks have been recorded. The Baltic Sea is considered dangerous water and it is estimated that there are up to 100,000 shipwrecks beneath it.
A mysterious shipwreck over 70 meters long was accidentally found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea
The discovery was made by Lithuanian state energy company Ignitis Group around 120 square kilometers from the coast as it examined the seabed for a wind farm project
The Ignitis Group has discovered a ship that has been unexplored and hidden for decades
The Ignitis group came across the mysterious shipwreck completely by accident while examining the seabed.
It used sonar to locate the massive ship, which has remained untouched for years.
Lithuanian officials told the company they had no knowledge of any sunken ships in the area.
A spokesman for Ignitis Renewables, an arm of Ignitis Group that focuses on green energy, said authorities had confirmed the ship was not recorded in any national database.
The energy company said historical and underwater archaeological research will help paint a better picture of what happened to the ship and how old it actually is.
The Ignitis Renewables spokesperson said this “will be valuable to the country’s scientific community and historians.”
“During research on the Baltic Sea floor for the offshore wind farm project, we found a previously unknown sunken ship,” Ignitis Group wrote in a social media post last week.
“We are handing over this unusual find to experts who will help reveal further information about this object.”
“In addition, all detailed information about the seabed will not only be used in our project, but also shared with the Lithuanian scientific community.”
The data collected will also be used to help the company develop its first offshore wind farm in Lithuania.
The aim is to cover around a quarter of Lithuania's electricity needs with green energy.
The previously unexplored area where the shipwreck was found stretches over 75 miles.
The research will determine whether Lithuania will officially register the shipwreck in its national database of historically significant places.
The sunken boat was located 125 feet below the ocean surface using sonar
In 2019, the remains of a 500-year-old ship were found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea that was so “astonishingly well preserved” that it looked as if it had “sunk yesterday.”
Augustina Kurilienė, head of the cultural heritage department, said: “As soon as the dating of the ship is clear, a decision will be made on its registration in the register of cultural assets.”
She added that the country will follow UNESCO guidelines for the protection and preservation of underwater cultural heritage.
Archaeologist Elena Pranckėnaitė said the sunken ship could help paint a picture of the region's shipping history.
In 2019, the remains of a 500-year-old ship were found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea that was so “astonishingly well preserved” that it looked as if it had “sunk yesterday.”
Experts found the incredible shipwreck – 24 nautical miles from the Swedish coast – when they searched the icy depths with a sonar device.
The ship, which dates from the late 15th or early 16th century, still has its masts, rotary cannons on deck and even parts of its rigging preserved.
Experts believe the lack of oxygen in icy depths helps deter marine animals from ravaging the remains.
Also on deck is the “incredibly rare” tender boat that was used to transport the crew to and from the coast.
Images and videos taken during the ship's inspection show the incredible remains in great detail.