Inland Cargo Vessels at the Mouth of the Oder River from the Early-Modern Times to the Beginning of the 20th Century: An Archaeological Perspective from the Bay of Greifswald

This paper focuses on the construction of inland river vessels used at the mouth of the Oder River. As one of the most important communication arteries in Central Europe, the Oder has undergone extensive regulation over the past several centuries. These changes have led to the development of distinct vessel types, designed to navigate both narrow canals and numerous locks, as well as the semi-open waters of the Szczecin Lagoon and Bay of Greifswald. While the general types and distinctive features of these vessels are well-documented in historical and iconographic sources, many construction details and characteristics remain unexplored and poorly understood. Recent marine investment projects in the Bay of Greifswald, however, have enabled the identification and study of several shipwreck sites of river transport vessels dating from the 18th to 20th centuries. These discoveries have provided valuable insights, significantly enhancing our understanding of the design, construction and exploitation of this category of vessels.