Overview
- Radiocarbon analysis of original lime bast cordage provides the first direct date for the vessel, placing it between 381 and 161 BCE.
- GC–MS identifies the caulking as a mixture of animal fat and pine pitch, a recipe uncommon in Denmark at the time.
- Based on pine availability, the authors propose source regions along the Baltic coast east of Rügen and Scania, though trade could also explain the pitch.
- Researchers documented a partial human fingerprint in the caulking and plan attempts to recover ancient DNA from the material.
- The results suggest a possible long-distance sea voyage by an attacking force later defeated on Als, after which the boat was deliberately sunk in a bog.