Brendan Foley

Brendan Foley is an Associate Professor and Researcher in the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at Lund University, Faculty of Humanities and Theology. His research focuses on maritime and underwater archaeology, particularly shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions.

Dr. Foley's educational background includes:

• PhD in History and Archaeology of Technology from MIT
• Master's degree in Maritime Archaeology from University of Southampton
• Master's degree in Social and Economic History from Tufts University

Foley specializes in the application of advanced methods and technology to archaeology, particularly submerged sites. His research spans maritime archaeology, shipwreck investigations, and the intersection of technology and archaeological practice. He has directed numerous underwater archaeological projects, including surveys of ancient shipwrecks by Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in the Aegean, six years of excavation on the Antikythera Shipwreck in Greece, and underwater recoveries of human remains from World War II aircraft for the U.S. Department of Defense. His current major project is the excavation of the royal Danish flagship, Gribshunden, lost off Blekinge in 1495.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the Gribshunden shipwreck, with multiple articles published in 2023-2024 examining various aspects of this 15th century royal vessel. His work spans archaeological methodology, data management in maritime contexts, botanical analysis of shipwreck contents, and the social and political significance of medieval ships.

Foley has received recognition for his work, including:

• Vrak och trätunnor från GRIBSHUNDEN: bevis för Politisk Ekonomisk Renässans i Östersjön (2020)
• GRIBSHUNDEN Shipwreck Excavation (2019)

Dr. Foley has secured significant research funding from multiple sources including the Swedish Research Council, Crafoord Foundation, and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. His current active project "Floating Castles: the Built Environment and Social Signaling in Medieval Scandinavia" is funded by the Swedish Research Council (2023-2025). He has also led numerous completed projects related to the Gribshunden shipwreck and other maritime archaeological investigations.

Foley directs the Gribshunden research project, a major international collaboration examining one of the best-preserved medieval warships ever discovered. This project involves multidisciplinary teams of archaeologists, conservators, historians, and scientists working together to document and interpret the ship and its contents.