Today, the 17th-century ship looks as it did in its heyday. Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Every element of it has undergone painstaking conservation. Photo by Macduff Everton/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
The world's most beautifully preserved 17th-century ship can be seen in a purpose-built museum in Stockholm. Photo by Rolf Schulten/ullstein bild via Getty Images
View of the ship. Photo by Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Eight years after being excavated and cleaned, the famous galleon could be shown to the public. Photo Erich Andres/United Images via Getty Images
Intensive conservation work was underway in 1969. Photo Erich Andres/United Images via Getty Images
But even then it was clear that it was worth the effort. Photo Erich Andres/United Images via Getty Images