The story of the world's best preserved Viking Ship (Viking Documentary)

This is the story of the world's best preserved viking ship; The Oseberg Ship. Located in the Viking ship museum in Oslo, Norway, it was dug up in Vestfold, Norway, dried under the Akershus Fortress, and put together again to be displayed first in the university gardens and then in this fantastic museum.

We talk with the curator, Jan Bill, and discuss the dig, the conservation, and where the ship will sail next.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

[BretherPadraig]

Narrator's voice is just perfect for this documentary.

[lindaholmes]

How fascinating! I hope to visit the new museum when it is completed. As a native of northern England this is of special interest to me as the Viking heritage is also part of our own heritage too.

[JH-lout]

This is such a majestic artifact. It is quite amazing how well preserved it is, and that the archaeologist in the early 1900’s was able to conserve and reconstruct the ship.

Professor Jan Bill and a team of archaeologists are now, on the fall of 2020, excavating another ship burial that was recently discovered. This will be the first excavation of a ship burial for a hundred years in norway.
While not as well preserved, modern science is sure to reveal new knowledge of theese kinds of ships.

[williamrobinson]

I have visited the ship as a child, and was hugely inspired.. Thanks for posting this! 🌟👍

[Ravynwulf]

This majestic ship gives me goosebumps.

[yulfaweisulf]

They are remodeling this museum and it will re-open in 2027. The upgrades they are doing to the museum are magnificent and the experience will be magical. My husband and myself plan a vacation to Norway to see it. I can't wait! This reignites the Norse in me. ❤❤❤

[phalypso]

I took up finish carpentry upon retirement. I have modern tools, and some skill, but when I look at the detail, the joinery, the fit on this wooden boat, done likely with nothing more than hammers, chisels, knives, wedges, hand axes, adzes and the like, I am astounded. This kind of work and carving would be difficult with a CNC machine and today's saws and shapers. I'd give a year of my life to spend a day with the builders.

[DaynesDiscoveries]

Really enjoyed this video, thank you for putting it together :) I visited the Oslo Viking Ship museum in 2017 and was in awe of the ships and all the artefacts they found in the burial site. Truly amazing Norwegian heritage! I see they are doing work on excavating a new Viking ship (Gjellestad) that has been found in Østfold County, Norway, very interesting.

[johnprice-cl]

Been there, seen it, just fabulous !

[lindaross]

The "Jesus Boat" in Israel is also wood and intact. Impossible to preserve but there it is. This is an exquisite ship.

[Elijah]

I think I'll visit in 2027!!
from England ( Mercia area😂)
I'm also not far from Repton where archaeology may have excavated some of the great heathen army😅.. There's some speculation regarding whether ivar the boneless was even at one point buried in that area... Very exciting stuff.

[djelalhassan]

My Mt-Haplogroup is U7a4b1a the woman's mitochondrial haplogroup was discovered to be U7. Although the high-ranking woman's identity is unknown, it has been suggested that she is Queen Åsa of the Yngling clan, mother of Halfdan the Black and grandmother of Harald Fairhair. Recent tests of the women's remains suggest that they lived in Agder in Norway, as had Queen Åsa.

[naskeri]

Beautiful little doc!

I noticed one picture you showed, when talking about drying of the wood under Akershus or something, a picture of wood pieces. Is that a legitimate pic? And if so could you show me the way to where I can find a copy?

I'm asking not of distrust or for questioning your video, it was refreshingly correct compared to most of the videos here, it's just that I love old pics from those excavations and haven't seen this one before. Should be noted that I haven't looked either...

Anyway, great video!

[emmarydgren]

Hur förklaras då de framgångar som gjorts med Saga Oseberg? Jag förstår att ett fynd kan leda till spekulationer, men i och med projektet Saga Oseberg så rekonstruerades skeppet på vetenskaplig grund. Hon klarar 10 knop.

[SwampFeet]

Would love to see the satellite map images better. Too far zoomed in, and pans way too fast. I cant tell if the ship was buried 5 miles or 500 from where it was built.... EDIT: The film gets a Thumbs Up, nonetheless. Europe is losing its heritage at an alarming rate. Anyone who takes notice in the ancestral past is worth praising. Thank you.

[CKing-]

Still wonder how many items walked off the dig.