120 Trade good copper ingots
In the summer of 1981, the crew of the Elbe dredger "Odin" recovered the remains of a ship from the early 17th century that had sunk there. The cargo also recovered consisted of muskets, knives, brass bowls and various types of copper or tin ingots. Almost all of the copper plates and ingots have stamps that provide clues to the places of manufacture or to trading houses of the time. The composition of the cargo suggests that this ship was on its way to Portugal, where the copper was to be made into metal hoops - so-called manillas. Portuguese traders traded these for gold, ivory, spices, and slaves, because manillas were considered a means of payment for a long time, especially on the west coast of Africa.
Info: Showcase 120
Ingot
Age: 1622 n. Chr. Modern period
Modern period: The modern era began around 1500 with the Reformation and the discovery of America. Characteristic of this era are the enormous changes in society, not only in Europe, which were triggered by events such as the French Revolution, wars, and, last but not least, industrialisation. New technologies made it possible to produce mass goods, and industrial production shifted to cities, which grew into large towns. The invention of new, faster means of transport shortened travel times. Goods, fashions and ideas could now be exchanged much more quickly and widely than before. The end of the First World War in 1918 marked the beginning of modernity, the main feature of which was the ever faster development of progress.
Material: Copper
Location: Elbe near Hamburg