rssOct 11, 2026, 07:29

Investigation into dragon's blood in the gold buttons of the Palmwood Wreck?

Experts in Amsterdam are investigating 21-karat gold buttons recovered from the seventeenth-century Palmhoutwrak shipwreck to determine if they contain rare dragon blood resin. This research aims to reveal the origin of these elite garments and clarify whether the buttons were trade goods or personal property.

Researchers at the Cultural Heritage Agency in Amsterdam are currently analyzing unique 21-karat gold buttons recovered from the Palmhoutwrak shipwreck in 2024. Specialists Ineke Joosten and Janneke van der Stok are using a scanning electron microscope to determine if the mysterious red substance filling the intricate buttons is dragon blood resin. These rare artifacts were likely part of elite seventeenth-century clothing, though their exact origin remains a subject of debate, with possibilities ranging from Central Europe to the Ottoman Empire.

The findings could provide crucial evidence regarding the origin of the buttons and help experts understand whether these items were intended for sale or personal possession by a wealthy passenger. The investigation is part of a broader study highlighted in a documentary series leading up to the exhibition at Huis van Hilde. By identifying the composition of the decorative material, researchers hope to solve long-standing puzzles surrounding the treasures found within the historic wreckage.

Culture Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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