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22.11.2020

Oseberg Ship, Oslo

The Oseberg ship, discovered on the Oseberg farm near Tonsberg in Westfall County, Norway, is a Viking ship of great historical significance. Regarded as one of the finest surviving relics from the Viking Age, it is housed in the Viking Ship Museum in Byugdey, located on the western side of Oslo, Norway.

Within the Oseberg mound, known as Kurgan Oseberg, two female human skeletons were found alongside a considerable number of valuable items. The ship's interment in the burial mound is estimated to have taken place in 834 AD, although parts of the vessel are believed to date back to around 800 AD, indicating its antiquity. The excavation of the ship was carried out by Haakon Shetelig, a Norwegian archaeologist, and Gabriel Gustafson, a Swedish archaeologist, between 1904 and 1905.

Constructed predominantly from oak using the clinker technique, the Oseberg ship measures 21.58 meters (70.8 feet) in length, 5.10 meters (16.7 feet) in width, and has a mast height of approximately 9-10 meters (30-33 feet). Equipped with sails covering an area of 90 square meters (970 square feet), the vessel was capable of achieving speeds of up to 10 knots. It features 15 pairs of oar holes, enabling 30 individuals to row simultaneously. Additionally, the ship is adorned with skillfully crafted intricate carvings in the distinctive "grab beast" style, also known as the Oseberg style, embellishing both the bow and stern.

During discussions regarding the relocation of the original ship to a proposed new museum, extensive research was conducted to assess the feasibility of moving the ship without causing damage. This process involved comprehensive photographic and laser scanning of the ship's exterior and interior.

In 2004, an endeavor was undertaken to construct a replica of the Oseberg ship. The project brought together Norwegian and Danish professionals, builders, scientists, and volunteers. The initiative benefited from scanned photographs and laser scans, freely provided to enthusiasts involved in the replication process. During this undertaking, it was discovered that a hole had been inadvertently made in one of the beams during the initial reconstruction of the ship, resulting in its unintentional shortening. This crucial detail had previously gone unnoticed and is believed to be the primary reason for the failure of earlier replica attempts. The availability of accurate data played a vital role in the success of this new endeavor.

Oseberg Ship, Oslo

In 2010, a new reconstruction project named "Saga Oseberg" commenced, aiming to recreate the Oseberg ship. This latest vessel was skillfully crafted using traditional Viking construction methods and constructed using wood sourced from Denmark and Norway. On June 20, 2012, the ship was ceremoniously launched from the city of Tönsberg. It proved to be a remarkable seafaring vessel, sailing smoothly and demonstrating excellent performance. In March 2014, the ship embarked on its voyage into the open sea, reaching Förder while fully utilizing its sails and achieving a speed of 10 knots. The successful construction and navigation of the ship convincingly demonstrated that the Oseberg ship was more than just a burial chamber; it was a fully functional ship capable of sailing on the water.

Within the burial site, the remains of two women were discovered alongside the ship. One of the women, estimated to be around 80 years old, exhibited significant signs of arthritis and other ailments. Initially, it was believed that the second woman was between the ages of 25 and 30. However, further analysis of tooth root opacities indicated that she was older, likely aged between 50 and 55 years. The exact social standing and the nature of their relationship in life remains uncertain, including whether one was sacrificed to accompany the other in death. Initially, the presence of a broken collarbone in the younger woman led to the assumption of sacrificial evidence. However, upon closer examination, it was discovered that the bone had been healing for several weeks. The elaborate funeral rituals and the richness of the burial inventory suggest that this was a burial of exceptionally high status. One of the women was dressed in a delicate red woolen dress adorned with a diamond-shaped twill pattern, symbolizing luxury, and wore a thin white linen veil with a gauze weave. The other woman wore a simpler blue woolen dress along with a woolen veil, potentially indicating a distinction in their social strata. Neither woman wore entirely silk garments, although small silk strips were attached to a tunic worn under the red dress.

The dendrochronological analysis of the logs within the burial mound provided evidence that the interment took place in the autumn of 834. The exact identity of the high-ranking woman remains unknown, although some have suggested that she might be Queen Asa of the Ingling clan, who was the mother of Halvdan Black and the grandmother of Harald Fairhair. Recent research on the remains of women indicates that they resided in Agdere, Norway, similar to Queen Asa. However, this hypothesis has been met with skepticism, and there are alternative theories proposing that she might have been a shaman. The excavation of the ship also revealed the remains of 14 horses, a bull, and three dogs.

Per Holck from the University of Oslo conducted mitochondrial DNA analysis, which revealed that the young woman belonged to the U7 haplogroup. Her ancestors are believed to have migrated to Norway from the Black Sea coast, likely originating from Iran. However, subsequent studies have failed to replicate these findings, suggesting that the bone samples may contain minimal original DNA or could have been contaminated during handling.

Further examination of skeletal fragments provided valuable insights into the lives of these women. Evidence on the teeth of the younger woman indicated the use of a metal toothpick, a rare luxury during the 9th century. Both women primarily consumed meat, which was considered a luxury as most Vikings relied heavily on a fish-based diet. However, the available DNA evidence was insufficient to establish any familial relationships, such as with the Queen and her daughter.

Oseberg Ship, Oslo

Despite the ancient grave being previously disturbed and lacking precious metals, the excavations conducted in 1904-1905 yielded a remarkable array of household items and artifacts. Among the discoveries were four exquisitely adorned sleds, a four-wheeled wooden cart intricately carved with ornate designs, bed frames, and wooden chests. Notably, there was the intriguing "Buddha-bøtte," a brass bucket with enamel partitions. The bucket's handle took the form of a seated figure with crossed legs, resembling the imagery of a Buddha in a lotus pose, although any direct connection remains highly uncertain. However, the enamel drawing on the bucket's torso bears significance when compared to similar human figures found in illuminated Gospel books from the insular art of the British Isles, such as the Book of Durrow. Alongside these remarkable finds, more practical objects like agricultural and household tools were also uncovered. A variety of fabrics were present, including woolen garments, imported silks, and narrow tapestries. The Oseberg Cemetery stood as one of the limited sources of Viking Age textiles, while the wooden wagon discovered there remains the sole fully intact Viking Age wagon ever found. Among the findings, the bedpost presents one of the rare instances showcasing the use of what has been termed a rolling symbol.

Oseberg Ship, Oslo

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