Oslo, Day 2 (5/15/14): Following a morning at the University of Oslo, the group headed to sea on the Bygdøy ferry to the Viking Ship Museum.
Above: Karra Puccia ’17 (top), Mallory Hart ’16 (bottom)
Once on the peninsula, we made our way to the “Vikingskip Museet,” or the infamous Vikingship Museum. Three of the best preserved viking ships in the world can be seen here, all built out of oak in the 9th century.
Above: Dragon and serpent carvings on the Oseberg, buried in 834CE and believed to have been intended as a royal pleasure craft.
Above: The 24m-long Gokstad, built in 890CE. Skeletons found alongside the boat were also displayed in the room. Beside ship – Julie Wan ’16.
Above: Boards and fragments (all that remains) of the lesser known third boat, Tune.
Ships were buried as tombs and pulled ashore with all essentials for the hereafter, including jewels, furniture, carriages, and figures. Pieces of ship hulls (below) were intricately carved, their detail so unique that different artists have been identified through their stylistic work.
Go Nut. Old Wood eh? Any blubber with that?
Wonderful photos! I was there more than 40 years ago. Before Devin was born on a trip through Norway, Sweden and Copenhagen.