To a maritime archaeologist every excavated object is a treasure. Each find tells a story and provides us with tangible evidence of the way people lived long ago. Sunken ships are like time capsules. The condition of the vessel, its inventory, equipment and cargo all give us a special insight into a particular period of history.

The 4,500 items in this collection provide an impression of the Netherlands’ maritime history. They include pictures and models of shipwrecks, glassware, weaponry and many other treasures.

The selected shipwrecks illustrate 1600 years of maritime history. The objects shown are a good reflection of the complete National Maritime Archaeology Collection.