ASI and National Museum of Denmark sign MoU to search for the 1619 wreck of Danish ship Oresund off Karaikal
The ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark have signed an MoU to locate and document the Danish ship Oresund, wrecked off Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619 CE.
Summary
The Archaeological Survey of India's Underwater Archaeology Wing and the National Museum of Denmark (Njord – Center for Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage, Copenhagen) have signed an MoU, announced on 15 June 2026, to locate and document the remains of the Danish ship Oresund. The Oresund was wrecked off the coast near Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619 CE and was the first Danish ship known to have reached India. The project will use non-invasive survey methods and advanced technologies. The MoU is the first collaborative archaeological project of the Underwater Archaeology Wing with an international organisation.
Key facts
- Partners
- ASI Underwater Archaeology Wing; National Museum of Denmark (Njord centre, Copenhagen)
- Target
- Wreck of Danish ship Oresund
- Wreck site and year
- Off Karaikal, Puducherry; 1619 CE
- Significance
- First Danish ship known to have reached India
- Method
- Non-invasive archaeological survey
- First
- Underwater Archaeology Wing's first project with an international organisation
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The historic Danish ship Oresund, the subject of an ASI–National Museum of Denmark MoU in June 2026, was wrecked near which place?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Karaikal, Puducherry
The Oresund was wrecked off the coast near Karaikal, Puducherry, in 1619 CE.
Consider the following statements about the ASI–National Museum of Denmark MoU (June 2026): 1. The Oresund was the first Danish ship known to have reached India. 2. The project is the Underwater Archaeology Wing's first collaborative archaeological project with an international organisation. 3. The project will involve raising the entire wreck to the surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are in the Ministry of Culture release. Statement 3 is wrong: the project is a non-invasive survey to locate and document the remains.