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24.11.2020

Gokstad Ship, Oslo

The Gokstad ship, a Viking ship from the 9th century, was discovered in a barrow in Gokstad, SANDAR, Sandefjord, Vestfold, Norway. It is currently on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway, and is recognized as the largest surviving Viking ship in the country.

The location where the boat was found, situated on arable land, has long been referred to as Gokstadhaugen or Kongshaugen. However, the significance of its name was disregarded as folklore, as there are similar named sites throughout Norway. In 1880, the sons of the farm owner in Gokstad, intrigued by the legends surrounding the area, stumbled upon the bow of a boat while digging the still frozen ground. Once news of the discovery spread, Nikolai Nikolaisen, then-president of the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments, visited the site in February 1880. Upon confirming that the finding was indeed an ancient artifact, he halted the excavations. Later, Nikolaisen returned and discovered that the mound still measured 50 by 43 meters, although its height had been reduced to 5 meters due to years of ploughing. He and his team decided to dig up the mound from the side rather than from the top, and on the second day of excavation, they uncovered the ship's bow.

The Gokstad ship was constructed using the clinker technique, primarily utilizing oak. It was designed for warfare, trade, and transportation of both people and cargo. The ship measures 23.80 meters (78.1 feet) in length and 5.10 meters (16.7 feet) in width. It stands as the centerpiece of the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. The ship employed a quarter rudder attached to a large wooden block situated on the outside of the hull, supported by a robust structure known as the wart. The wart was secured using willow branches, with curved stems passing through the rudder and wart to firmly anchor the ship.

Each side of the ship consists of 16 tapered planks. The strake boards are nearly vertical at the point of attachment to the keel, while the garboard planks are narrow and only slightly wider, allowing them to fit within the hold. The planks of the upper structure gradually widen. Each oak board is slightly tapered in cross-section, enabling an overlap of approximately 30 mm at the top and bottom, following the typical clinker style of construction (lapstrake). The iron rivets are spaced around 180 mm apart when the planks are straight, and approximately 125 mm when the planks are curved.

Gokstad Ship, Oslo

At the bow, all the boards converge and taper towards the junction with the stem. The stem itself is crafted from a single curved oak log, forming a distinctive watershed, with one section corresponding to each board. The inner part of the stem has an av-shaped cut, potentially to accommodate rivets during construction or repair. Each board features a notch approximately 25 mm wide and deep enough to accommodate a detachable part. Sea chests were placed on top of the decking for use during rowing, and it is likely that on longer voyages, the sea chests were secured beneath the deck to serve as ballast while sailing. The central section of the keel possesses a small movable lever, and combined with the flat transverse section of the middel, the hull shape is well-suited for navigating in calm and moderately flat waters. However, when encountering strong winds and waves, maneuverability may have been challenging, suggesting the possible use of some form of reefing system to reduce sail area.

The vessel was designed to accommodate 32 rowers, and the oars could be stowed away when the ship was under sail. It utilized a square sail measuring approximately 110 square meters (1200 square feet), which is estimated to have propelled the ship at speeds exceeding 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 miles per hour). The mast was adjustable and could be raised or lowered as needed. Additionally, due to its ability to traverse shallow waters, the rudder could be swiftly raised by unbinding it from the mast. Dendrochronological dating indicates that the wood used to construct the ship was felled around 890 AD. This period coincides with the height of Scandinavian expansion in cities such as Dublin, Ireland, and York, England. The Gokstad ship was commissioned in the late 9th century during the reign of King Harald the Fair-haired. It had the capacity to carry a crew ranging from forty to seventy individuals. The ship's design showcased remarkable seaworthiness.

Gokstad Ship, Oslo

During the excavation process, a human skeleton was discovered lying on a bed inside a wooden burial chamber. The skeleton belonged to an unidentified man, estimated to be between forty and fifty years old, with a robust physique and a height ranging from 181 to 183 cm. Surrounding the man's remains were the skeletal remains of twelve horses, six dogs, and a peacock.

Apart from the ship itself, the grave contained various pieces of equipment, including three boats, a tent, sleds, and riding gear. However, it is believed that other items may have been looted in ancient times, as no traces of gold or silver were found during the excavations in 1880. In Viking burials, weapons were typically considered significant components, but once again, no weapons were discovered on the Gokstad ship.

The Gokstad ship, along with the reconstructed burial chamber, two small boats, and two tent boards from the burial chamber, are now on display at the Viking Ship Museum situated on the Byugdey Peninsula in Oslo, Norway. The museum also showcases other surviving artifacts that managed to escape looting. After thirteen years of deliberation regarding a potential relocation, Education Minister Christine Halvorsen announced on May 3, 2012, that the ship would remain at Bugdøy and not be moved.

Gokstad Ship, Oslo

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