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The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo was the main reason we took this side trip, and we were not disappointed! The ships were found in the late 1800's and very early 1900's. This is the Gokstad Ship, one of the best preserved Viking long boats ever found. All three ships in this museum were placed in burial mounds along with the remains of their royal occupants, presumably to help carry the dead to the "other side." |
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A view of the Gokstad Ship from above. The deck planking was preserved, as were several oars, barrels, and stump of the mast assembly. |
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The prow of the Oseberg Ship, famous for the spiral dragon's head and the knot work carving on the keel. |
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Detail of the Oseberg Ship Dragon Head, photographed by Susan. |
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Detail of a portion of the carved keel and the side boards, showing how they were fastened together with iron rivets. |
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Detail of knot work animal carved into the keel of the Oseberg Ship. |
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Rack of oars on the Oseberg Ship. |
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Detail of oar hole from the Oseberg Ship. The slot was used to allow passage of the oar blade. |
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Top view of the Oseberg Ship, showing deck planking and gangway with treads attached. Other items found during the excavations included jewelry, a cart, tent frames, portable bedsteads, and weapons |
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Large barrel found on the deck of the Oseberg Ship. |
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The Tune Ship is the least well preserved of the three at the Viking Ship Museum, but it shows important details of Viking ship construction. |
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The mast of the Tune Ship would have been stepped up into this block. Notice how the side planks are not attached to the ribs of the ship, but only to each other and to the keel. This design gave the long boats great flexibility in rough seas. |
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The Stern of the Tune Ship. Notice the two small row boats and the tent- shaped structure. The small row boats are very well preserved. |
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The tent-shaped structure is built of logs, and was found on the deck of the Tune Ship, protecting the cremated remains of the person buried with the ship. |
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This is a close up of the wall decorations, patterned after the tent frames found during the excavations. |
