Booklaunch and seminar about the Osmund Shipwreck

Jernkontoret and VRAK – the Swedish National Museums of Maritime, Transport and Military History – have collaborated for several years on research into the historical trade in iron and other metals in the Baltic Sea region. The results will be presented in the forthcoming book "Shipwrecks and The Baltic Metal Trade – Metal Production and Trading Nodes 13th–17th Century", authored by Catarina Karlsson, Director of Research at Jernkontoret, Jim Hansson, Curator and Maritime Archaeologist at VRAK, and several other contributors.

The publication highlights the important role that metal production and trade across the Baltic Sea played in the development of Sweden and Europe, from the Middle Ages to the early modern period. Drawing on new research and maritime archaeological discoveries, the book offers fresh perspectives on the trading networks that helped establish Sweden as a leading iron-producing nation.

We are delighted to invite you to the launch of the book and a special viewing of one of the barrels recovered from the Osmund Shipwreck, together with its barrel of osmund iron.

The event will begin at Järntorget in Stockholm's Old Town on Monday, 9 November 2026, at 14.00. Representatives of the press, the cultural heritage sector and other specially invited guests will be attending.

Following the launch, guests are welcome to join us for a short walk to Skeppsbron, where we will board M/S Enköping, Stockholm's oldest passenger vessel still in operation, for a boat trip.

Light refreshments and drinks will be served on board.

Please note:
An invitation has been sent out via e-mail. If you are interested in participating but have not received an invitation, please contact Ingrid Leek, ingrid.leek@jernkontoret.se.

Programme

Meeting point: Järntorget, Old Town (Gamla stan), Stockholm.

14.00 – Welcome and Introduction

• Annika Roos, CEO, Jernkontoret

• Odd Johansen, Museum Director, VRAK – the Swedish National Museums of Maritime, Transport and Military History

14.05 – Presentation of the Book and Järntorget: The Heart of Historic Trade

• Catarina Karlsson, Director of Research in Mining and Metallurgical History, Jernkontoret

• Jim Hansson, Curator and Maritime Archaeologist, VRAK – the Swedish National Museums of Maritime, Transport and Military History

14.15 – Group Walk to Skeppsbron and Boarding of M/S Enköping

14.30 - 15.30 – Boat departure and presentations

The Osmund Shipwreck – A Unique Discovery in the Stockholm Archipelago

• Jim Hansson, Curator and Maritime Archaeologist, VRAK – the Swedish National Museums of Maritime, Transport and Military History

From Bergslagen to the Wider World

• Catarina Karlsson, Director of Research in Mining and Metallurgical History, Jernkontoret

The Osmund Barrel – A Challenging Conservation Project

• Max Jahrehorn, Conservator specialising in archaeological and maritime archaeological artefacts, Oxider, Kalmar

15.30 – Distribution of Books and Gift Bags

15.40 – Networking and Viewing of an Osmund Shipwreck Barrel and a Selection of Archaeological Finds

16.30 – Arrival at Nybroviken

17.00 – End of Event