Shipwrecks of the Zuiderzee

From 1942 until 1982, about 350 shipwrecks have been found in the IJsselmeerpolders of which 140 have been systematically excavated. Another 100 have only been located and are waiting to be investigated or protected against rotting. The oldest find in the IJsselmeerpolders - a cog - dates from the 13th century. Ships from later times include fishing-boats, an armed 'tjalk', ordinary working vessels and many cargo-boats from the 19th century. Some of these vessels are discussed in this publication, together with methods for excavation and documentation of shipwrecks, and the protection of shipwrecks in situ. Besides attention is paid to the equipment and inventory of the vessels that sailed the Zuiderzee, and to the cargo they carried.