Revolutionary 3D Modeling of Norwegian Medieval Shipwreck Achieved with Robotics

Avaldsnes, one of the most famous medieval wrecks in Norway, has delivered its secrets to the scientific community as part of a geophysical study.

When the Middle Ages meets the 21st century

It has now been 600 years since the wreckage rests at the bottom of the water. Studied for decades, it was not until early January 2024 that researchers from the University of Stavanger and the Maritime Museum of Stavanger have undertaken to deepen their knowledge on the artifact using a little technology gem.

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Thanks to a robotic boat, more specifically an autonomous surface vehicle or AVS, the researchers have managed to reproduce a 3D model of the Avaldsnes. A particularly rich model in detail, which exposes “Essential information such as the horizontal and vertical distribution of buried remains, the depth of the burial, the structure of the shell and the details of construction of the wreckage ”according to the authors of the article.

An accelerated, fluidified and more responsible robotic exploration

Thanks to AVS, the researchers have notably been able to explore areas of the wreckage, so far inaccessible with traditional boats. To make its model, AVS notably collected high -resolution seismic data. The fact that the boat is robotic, therefore devoid of a pilot, accelerates the exploration of the wreckage, and makes it less invasive for the seabed.

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The assumptions concerning the approval is rudder. In the past, it would have been a medium -sized commercial vessel. According to the analyzes of his wood, it was built in Poland near the Vistula estuary in 1395. A fire was fatal to him, between 1399 and 1415.

One more step towards robotization of the scientific research sector?

Sources: Iflscience, Maritime Archeology Journal