This makes the project Heritage Underwater – Maritime Archaeology (HUMA) very interesting from a maritime archaeological point of view. The project focuses on the exploration and documentation of wrecks of the Danish-Lübeckish fleet, which sank near the island of Gotland, Sweden in the middle of the Baltic Sea during the Nordic Seven Years’ War in the 16th century.

The project was initiated, and is led by, the Gotland-based maritime archaeological company AquaArkeologen. The aim of the project is to research and preserve the vulnerable cultural heritage. HUMA demonstrates that the seabed around Gotland is rich in artefacts and wrecks, only a few of which have been explored. Historical sources from the last 250 years point out that more than 2,500 ships sank along the coast of Gotland, and to date only a few of them have been found.

For Nord Stream, the HUMA project provides an opportunity to demonstrate the company’s responsible approach to underwater research. Additionally, Nord Stream is carrying out the most comprehensive seabed survey ever done in preparation for the construction of the underwater natural gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea.