*Five centuries ago, a major revolution overturned traditional ship designs;

ships were transformed from small coastal transports into larger ocean-going vessels capable of long-distance exploration, with enormous ramifications for the world as Europe’s age of imperialism and colonialism began. NOVA probes a wreck found off the coast of Sweden in search of clues.

NOVA: The Ship That Changed the World airs Wednesday, June 2 at 9pm on WETA PBS or stream with the free PBS Video App.