Marco Ali

Curator, Cultural Heritage Unit 

Title: The Wrecks at Franska Stenarna: When Dating the Past Raises More Questions Than Answers

Beneath the waters of Franska Stenarna lies a maritime mystery that continues to challenge archaeologists. The remains of Kraveln, one of King Gustav Vasa’s pioneering warships from the early 16th century, have been studied since their discovery in the 1990s. But the story took an unexpected turn when researchers uncovered a second wreck nearby—initially believed to be part of the same vessel.

Now, new archaeological investigations are rewriting what we thought we knew. Is the second wreck connected to Kraveln, or does it belong to an entirely different chapter of Sweden’s naval past? As fresh evidence emerges, the site is revealing a far more complex history than anyone anticipated.

Join Marco Ali, marine archaeologist from Vrak – Museum of Wrecks, Museum of the year in Sweden,  for a fascinating journey into the history of these enigmatic vessels and the scientific detective work behind dating ancient shipwrecks—where every answer seems to uncover a new question.