New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) Two top cultural agencies of India and Denmark have joined hands to undertake an underwater archaeological project aimed at locating and documenting the remains of the historic Danish ship ‘Oresund’, which was wrecked off the coast of Puducherry in the 17th century.
The Archaeological Survey of India’s Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark: Njord – Center for Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage, Copenhagen, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake this exploration.
This collaborative underwater archaeological project is aimed at locating and documenting the remains of the ship, which was wrecked off the coast near Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619, India’s culture ministry said in a statement.
‘Oresund’ occupies a significant place in maritime history as the first Danish ship known to have reached India, it said.
Shortly after its arrival in Indian waters, the vessel was wrecked near Karaikal, making it an important archaeological resource for understanding the early maritime interactions between Denmark and India, as well as the broader history of seafaring and trade in the Indian Ocean during the early seventeenth century, the ministry said.
“Under the terms of the MoU, the project will focus on conducting a non-invasive archaeological survey using advanced technologies and scientific methods to identify potential remains of the shipwreck,” it said.
The investigations will be carried out by the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the ASI in collaboration with the National Museum of Denmark.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the Underwater Archaeology Wing, as it represents its first collaborative archaeological project with an international organisation, officials said.
The partnership is expected to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between India and Denmark in the field of underwater cultural heritage research.
This initiative also reflects the shared commitment of both institutions towards the documentation, protection, and study of underwater cultural heritage through international cooperation and the application of non-invasive scientific methodologies, it said. PTI KND AMJ AMJ
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