The famous Nydam Boat
Starting in the 6th century BC, the use of iron as a material begins in the north. During the 1st century BC, Roman troops and German tribes conquer Celtic territory and join up on the Rhine and Danube. As a result, the exchange of information and material arises. Names and acts by the population in the north become known in the Roman Empire and are recorded. The Teutons step into the light of Roman historiography.
Numerous tombs, several bog bodies as well as sumptuous treasure and sacrificial finds from the period up until the 4th century AD offer a unique source basis for Schleswig-Holstein’s prehistory and early history in connection with accompanying written Roman documentation.
The famous Nydam Boat from the Teutonic period is located both thematically and artistically in the limelight of the Nydam hall at Schloss Gottorf. It is not only one of the largest exhibits in the Archaeological Museum Schloss Gottorf, but also alongside this an exhibit with special aesthetics and which is exceptionally well preserved – and therefor also highly significant for academia.
The discovery of the 23-metre-long oak wood ship in the Nydam moor close to Sønderborg (Denmark) by the teacher and archaeologist Conrad Engelhardt on August 17, 1863 was a sensation for archaeology in north Europe: for the first time it was possible to salvage and examine a prehistoric seaworthy ship which was placed in water more 1500 years previously. However, the German-Danish war the started. A long-lasting odyssey begins for the Nydam Boat until it finally arrives at today’s location, the Schleswig museum island, in spring 1947.
In this unique, separate exhibition, visitors cannot only marvel at the Nydam Boat which was constructed in 320 AD, they also experience everything about its meaning and fascinating history, the salvaging of further parts of ships from the Nydam moor - to-date we know a total of three ships from the place of finding - on Iron Age ship construction technology and equipping with ship equipment items as well as aspects of maritime navigation during the first centuries AD. The reception history of the Nydam Boat and its role in the changing relationship between Germany and Denmark since 1863/4 is just important a part of the exhibition and is illustrated with contemporary documents and ship models.
