The Oseburg ship.
Posted on 01/01/2007 3:06:17 PM PST by blam
GGG Ping.
Oops.......... Oh well!
These artifacts are truly amazing to see in person. I recommend the trip to any who have the means.
The Oseburg ship.
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Of interest here is on the rear right side of the ship is the steering board, or what we have come to call the "starboard" side.
Regards.
Beautiful. It seems to me they should make a replica for the museum.
The Oseberg ship was found in a large burial mound at the Slagen farm in Vestfold and excavated in 1904. The ship was built in around 815-820 A.D. and had been used as a sailing vessel for many years before it was put to use as a burial ship for a prominent woman who died in 834. The woman was placed in a burial chamber in the aft section of the ship. Next to her lay the body of another woman, possibly a servant, as well as her most valuable possessions. Under the ship was a thick layer of blue clay, while the mound itself was built up of turf. This explains the excellent state of preservation of the ship and the other objects of wood, leather and textiles.With very few exceptions, these are objects that never survive in graves of the Viking period. The mound was plundered in ancient times, perhaps explaining why no jewellry or other objects of gold and silver, were found in the grave.
The ship, built of oak, was 22 meters long and 5 meters wide. The 12 strakes were secured with iron nails. The ship was designed for both rowing and sailing. With a square sail of about 90 sq. m., it could reach speeds of over 10 knots. The top strake had 15 oar holes. A full set of oars was included in the grave furnishings. The rudder was placed aft and on the starboard side. The crew probably sat on their ship's chests. The Oseberg ship was in all probability intended to be used as a royal pleasure vessel for sailing along the coast. Both the prow and stern of the vessel are finely carved in the characteristic "animal style".
Many of the Oseberg queen's burial furnishings are displayed in the innermost section of the museum in the artifact collection. The textiles made of wool and silk are to be found in a separate room.
Regards.
The Vikings invented the lapstrake hull, which is the strongest way to make a wooden hull. It will flex in rough seas instead of break.
The gunwhales were too low for the open sea. About half of those attempting the crossing to Greenland were swamped.
Gorgeous, but why did I immediately hear the Viking Kitty song in my head? Too much FR.
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If they have to move them then I suggest plenty of foam peanuts!
I'd rather see the replica, the difference between a corpse and a "living" thing.
Yeah, me too.
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