Skeletons in the Vasa Museum (Stockholm, Sweden)

Skeletons in the Vasa Museum (Stockholm, Sweden)
The skeletons of at least 15 of these were found during excavations. Some were found outside the ship but have been dated by the radiocarbon method, and were most probably victims also. None of the victims were identified.

In connection with research on these skeletons each has been given a name in alphabetical order following the Swedish letter-naming system -- "Adam", "Beata", "Cesar", etc.

What we can say about "Adam" is that he was 35-40 years old, 165 cm tall and in good health, but that in his youth he had received a blow to the face. He was one of the first skeletons to be salvaged by divers in 1958.

The individual F, "Filip", was probably a sailor who died at his post. He was c. 30 years old, 163 cm tall and had a set of teeth that gave him a special smile. He was found in the steering cabin where he was probably an oarsman. He was close to a safe exit at the time of the catastrophe, by a short ladder to the upper deck, but seems to have chosen to stay below. Perhaps he died trying to turn the ship so that she could stand upright again.

"Ylva" was identified in the beginning as a boy, but was in fact a 16 year old girl in poor health. Her skeleton shows several injuries and she was stooped and undernourished.

Music: Across The Bridge by Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows
(Dead Lovers Sarabande)