Deep-sea explorers in the Baltic Sea have positively identified the wreck of the 'Gilded Swan', a 17th-century Swedish diplomatic vessel that vanished during a storm in 1674. The ship was famously carrying a collection of lavish royal gifts intended for the Shah of Persia, including ornate clocks, silver-inlaid firearms, and a series of crystal-encrusted globes.
The wreckage is exceptionally well-preserved due to the low salinity and anoxic conditions of the Baltic’s deeper basins. Recovery teams have already successfully documented the intact cargo hold, which remains organized exactly as it was loaded over 350 years ago, providing an unprecedented look into early modern diplomatic trade between Europe and the Middle East.