The remains of a 17th-century boat have been uncovered along the Vistula River near Łomianki Dolne, a village just outside Warsaw, Poland.
The boat, believed to date back to the time of the Swedish Deluge, a period of intense military conflict between 1655 and 1660, was discovered after fluctuating water levels in the river exposed parts of the wooden structure.
The existence of the boat had been known to locals for years, but it was only recently reported to the Mazovian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments by the Triglav Exploration and Search Group, a local history organization.
Archaeologist Robert Wyrostkiewicz, a member of the Archaeological Emergency Service, identified the boat as being at least 350 years old, and possibly older. He informed the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the vessel’s size, construction materials, and location indicate it may have been used for transporting cargo along the Vistula during a period when such barges were common.
Flat-bottomed barges like this one were vital to the economy of 17th-century Poland, as they were used to transport goods, particularly grain, down the Vistula River to the port city of Gdańsk. Once the barges reached their destination, they were often dismantled and sold as lumber because the return journey upstream was considered too difficult and costly. The boat discovered near Łomianki Dolne is thought to have been up to 30 meters long, with space for as many as 20 raftsmen who would have manually propelled it when winds were insufficient to use its sail.
The structure was initially spotted by a group of cyclists in July, who noticed wooden planks protruding from the water and reported their find to local authorities. The Triglav Exploration and Search Group conducted further investigations, taking photographs and documenting the site.
According to Wyrostkiewicz, the remnants of the boat include the skeleton, ribs, and several large, traditionally forged nails—details that have helped archaeologists date the vessel. “The skeleton, ribs, and other metal elements of this vessel suggest it dates back at least to the time of the Swedish Deluge or could be even older,” Wyrostkiewicz told PAP.
The Swedish Deluge refers to a series of military campaigns in which Sweden invaded and occupied large parts of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The conflict caused widespread devastation and left lasting scars on the region’s infrastructure and economy. The newly discovered boat could provide further insight into life during this turbulent period, particularly in relation to the economic activities that took place along the Vistula River.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the find is the potential for further discoveries once the water levels of the Vistula recede. Much of the boat remains submerged, and archaeologists hope that the anaerobic conditions beneath the riverbed may have preserved parts of the vessel and its cargo. “It’s unknown how much of it remains embedded in the riverbed. This unseen part could be the best preserved due to the oxygen-free conditions in the riverbed,” Wyrostkiewicz said. He speculated that remnants of the boat’s cargo, possibly salt or other goods, might still be found.
However, further analysis will have to wait. Rising water levels have resubmerged the boat, making it impossible for archaeologists to conduct an on-site inspection at this time. The team remains hopeful that they will be able to resume their work once conditions allow.
