From the Stone Age to the Viking Era

The oldest vessels in our waters were likely skin and log boats used for fishing and hunting marine mammals in the Stone Age (9500-1700 BCE). In the Bronze Age (1700-500 BCE), plank-built vessels were introduced, in a society where the boat also played a significant role in ritual contexts. The Danish Hjortspring boat, dated to around 350 BCE, shows clear similarities with boats depicted in Norwegian rock art fields. The Nydam boat from around 320 CE, also from Denmark, gives us an idea of how Norwegian Iron Age boats — before the Viking ships — likely appeared.

In the exhibition, you can follow the development of boats from the Stone Age to the Viking era. We display an original log boat, original parts from one of the world’s oldest Viking ships — the Kvalsund ship from Sunnmøre — in addition to exceptional models of both Danish and Norwegian ship finds from the period. Here we must, of course, highlight the Oseberg and Gokstad, the two famous Viking ships from the 800s and 900s. These are shown in detailed models (1:6) that provide an excellent insight into the ships' construction.