Juffrau Elisabedt, a Dutch 28-meter freighter sank off Norway in 1760, was discovered by a team of divers after 40 years of searching.

"It is wonderful that the wreck is completely unaffected. This is a lifelong meaningful experience for an underwater archaeologist," said Iver Nesse Aarrestad, senior advisor at the Norwegian General Department of Cultural Heritage. , responding to NRK channel on October 25, adding that the discovery of Juffrau Elisabedt is extremely "scientific, historical and social".

This freighter sailed from Amsterdam, the Netherlands in March 1760. About 20 days later, while approaching the southern coast of Norway, the ship encountered bad weather that forced the crew to abandon the ship. The wreck was found off Sogne, in Norway's Vest-Agder county.

Sogne diving club has been searching for 40 years. "We were shocked after so many years had passed without luck, then suddenly it appeared," divers Espen Lauritsen said.

Because it is partially covered in sand, the ship is not affected by salt water. Many pieces of wood are intact, and the artifacts are well protected. "This journey is like going into a secret museum," said diver Jan Kristoffersen, comparing their findings to "gold mining."

The Sogne divers' club found the wreck in March, but then underwent a thorough inspection to verify it was Juffrau Elisabedt, with results released last week. The diver group received 100,000 Norwegian Krone (nearly $ 11,000) in prize money from the government.