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Gokstad Burial Chamber
This burial chamber was constructed towards the stern of the Gokstad ship. A tall man in his 40s or 50s was buried in it. The chamber was covered with birch bark, and remnants of silk were found between the logs of the roof. The burial chamber…
The Gokstad Ship
The Gokstad ship was found in a burial mound at Gokstad in Vestfold, Norway. The ship dates to c. 890 AD and the burial probably took place c. 900 AD. A single male skeleton was found with the ship, but the site had been plundered before excavation…
Rudder strap from the Oseberg ship
The leather rudder strap was part of the fastenings for the steering oar.
Beckets from the Oseberg burial
Beckets were used for securing ropes on the ship.
A parrel and rope tighteners from the Oseberg burial
The parrel (left) was used to fix the sail to the mast on the ship. The rope tighteners would have been used wherever needed in the rigging.
Possible decoration from the Oseberg ship
A decorated wooden piece from the Oseberg burial. It is uncertain exactly what it is for.
Items related to keeping dogs from the Oseberg burial
The image shows strap mounts on the left, a dog collar (centre) with wooden whistles on either side of it, and the remains of a dog leash on the far right.
A pitchfork from the Oseberg burial
A wooden pitchfork from the Oseberg burial
Spades from the Oseberg burial
A number of wooden spades were found as part of the Oseberg burial
Riding whip and hoof nails from the Oseberg burial
A riding whip found in the Oseberg burial with iron hoof nails in the foreground. The iron nails would have been used in the winter to give the horse better grip in icy conditions.
Saddle from the Oseberg burial
A saddle found in the Oseberg burial. It is made of beech wood.
Rattles from the Oseberg burial
Rattles were found with each of the carved animal heads. Their function is uncertain, but it has been suggested that they might have been musical instruments, sleigh bells or cult objects used in religious rituals.
Animal heads from the Oseberg burial
Five carved animal heads were found in the Oseberg burial. One of these is too damaged to be displayed. Some of the heads were found with rope running through their mouths, like reins, and all were found with a rattle and a piece of rope.
Textiles from the Oseberg burial
Alongside the tapestries, other textiles were found. These included woollen fabrics, silk, embroideries and tablet-woven bands.
The Oseberg Tapestry
These are fragments of a tapestry that was found with the Oseberg ship burial. The tapestry appears to depict a procession including horse-drawn wagons.
Steering Oar on the Tune Ship
The steering oar on the Tune ship, clearly showing the white dots that are part of the 3D scanning process.
Scanning the Tune Ship
The Tune ship is currently being 3D scanned, hence it is covered with white dots that are used to measure it. The scanning project is investigating how to stop active decay and preserve the objects in the collection.
The Tune Ship
The Tune ship has not survived as well as the Gokstad and Oseberg ships, with which it shares the Vikingskipshuset. However, it appears to have been a faster, sea-going vessel that could have outsailed both. It is not a cargo ship, because it does…
Professor Gustafson's Diaries from the Oseberg Excavation
The Oseberg mound was excavated in 1904. The excavation was led by Gabriel Gustafson who ensured that the excavation was properly documented. These photos are of his diaries and notebooks related to the excavation.
Detail of the Stern Ornament on the Oseberg Ship
Detail of the stern ornament on the Oseberg Ship, showing the intricate carving.