The Archaeological Survey of India's Underwater Archaeology Wing and Denmark's National Museum of Denmark: Njord - Center for Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on an underwater archaeological project targeting the historic Danish ship Oresund. The vessel, wrecked off the coast near Karaikal, Puducherry in 1619 CE, holds significant maritime historical importance as the first Danish ship known to have reached India.
The collaborative project will focus on conducting non-invasive archaeological surveys using advanced technologies and scientific methods to locate and document potential remains of the shipwreck. This initiative represents the first international collaborative project for the ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing and is expected to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between India and Denmark in underwater cultural heritage research. The partnership reflects both institutions' commitment to documenting, protecting, and studying underwater cultural heritage through international cooperation and non-invasive scientific methodologies.