The Oseberg Viking Ship
The Oseberg was found in Norway at Oseberg in Vestfold in 1903, resting on a bed of blue clay and covered with turf and stones. The Oseberg was built in the last half of the 800's and was buried roughly 50 years later. The ship is some 50 to 100 years older than similar vessels which have been found. It lay deep in the water and must have been relatively dangerous under sail.
This ship was made of oak. It would have been the type of Norwegian vessel that would have raided Lindisfarne. Little reconstruction was necessary although it took 22 years to restore. The ship is approximately 70 feet long, 16 feet wide. It took 22 years to restore. The ship is approximately 70 feet long, 16 feet wide and only 5 feet deep. This allowed it not only to travel in the sea but also up rivers. It could land right on the beach. This maneuverability and the speed of the ship is what took Europe by surprise.
