Skuldelev Viking ships
Roskilde, Denmark (pin at the Viking Ship Museum; the ships were found about 20 km north)
What happened
In the Viking Age, people filled five old ships with stones and sank them across a channel in Roskilde Fjord, in Denmark. The wall of sunken ships blocked the sailing route to the town of Roskilde. The ships included two warships, two cargo ships and a smaller boat probably used for fishing.
Why it matters
Finding five different kinds of Viking ship in one place showed how Vikings built ships for war, trade and fishing. One of the warships was built near Dublin, Ireland, showing how far the Vikings travelled.
What came next
In 1962, archaeologists built a wall around the site, pumped out the water and lifted the ships piece by piece. They are now displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, which has built full-size copies of all five.
Did you know?
In 2007, a full-size copy of the Dublin-built warship, called the Sea Stallion from Glendalough, sailed from Roskilde all the way to Dublin.
Timeline
- c. 1030 to 1042 CEThe five ships are built in Norway, Denmark and near Dublin.
- 11th century CEThe ships are filled with stones and sunk across the channel.
- 1962Archaeologists drain the site and recover the ships.
- 1969The Viking Ship Museum opens in Roskilde.
- 14 August 2007The Sea Stallion from Glendalough arrives in Dublin.