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🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Treasure hunt for 300-year-old shipwreck to begin off Iceland's coast

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A search for the shipwreck of the Höfðaskip, which sank off the coast of Langanes in northeastern Iceland over 300 years ago, will begin this summer.
  • The ship carried a valuable cargo and all crew members, including Hannes Þorleifsson, a predecessor to manuscript collector Árni Magnússon.
  • Archaeologist Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir is leading the project, calling it a true treasure hunt in collaboration with underwater archaeologist Ragnar Edvardsson.

A treasure hunt is set to begin off the coast of Iceland this summer, as archaeologists prepare to search for the wreck of the Höfðaskip. The ship sank over 300 years ago in a severe storm near Langanes in the northeast of the country.

According to historical records, the Höfðaskip carried the most valuable cargo ever lost at sea near Iceland. All hands were lost, including Hannes Þorleifsson, who was a predecessor to the renowned manuscript collector Árni Magnússon. His collection and other precious artifacts are believed to have gone down with the ship.

For centuries, no attempt has been made to locate the wreck and its contents. However, archaeologist Steinunn Kristjánsdóttir, leading the project, described the upcoming expedition as a genuine treasure hunt. She is collaborating with underwater archaeologist Ragnar Edvardsson on the endeavor.

in raun sé um að ræða sannkallaða fjársjóðsleit

— Steinunn KristjánsdóttirSteinunn Kristjánsdóttir, who is leading the project, described the upcoming expedition as a true treasure hunt.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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