Sanday Shipwreck named one of Scotland’s top archaeological finds of 2024

The Sanday shipwreck has been named one of five most amazing archaeological finds in Scotland for 2024 by ‘Dig It!’, a hub for Scottish archaeology coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Uncovered earlier this year on a beach in Sanday, the impressively large and intact section of shipwreck timbers has captivated the archaeological community and the public alike.

The remarkable discovery, revealed by winter storms then rescued by the Sanday community, may offer a unique glimpse into the UK’s – and wider Europe’s - maritime heritage.

The timbers, now safely stowed and preserved in a freshwater conservation tank next to Sanday Heritage Centre, are undergoing in-depth analysis thanks to a generous £21,000 grant from Historic Environment Scotland announced recently.

Orkney Islands Council played a pivotal role in securing additional funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) to stabilise these timbers - acting swiftly on behalf of the Sanday community back in February when the wreck emerged, our Museums team successfully obtained £79,658 from NHMF to construct a custom freshwater tank. 

That funding helped safeguard this potentially significant part of Orkney's rich history and heritage and ensure the timbers' preservation for a period of research, now being made possible by the grant from HES to Wessex Archaeology and Dendrochronicle, who are using advanced dendrochronology techniques to date and trace the origins of the ship. Their findings will shed light on the shipbuilding techniques and maritime trade networks that once connected Orkney to the wider world.