List of Famous Viking Ships & Their Excavations 

The Vikings were seafaring people who traveled extensively for purposes of war, trade, and settlement. Because of their connection to the sea, the Vikings crafted unique styles of boats and ships that were perfectly suited for sailing in the Baltic Sea and other bodies of water. 

Viking ships are characterized by their tar waterproofing and light construction. Viking sailors could pull their ships to shore with ease. 

Ships were constructed for sailing and rowing. Oarmen could row in shallow waters or set sail across major oceans. 

During the Viking Age (793-1066), craftsmen built hundreds of ships. In the earliest part of this period, ships lacked specialization. Ships for transport, trade, and warfare looked relatively similar. 

Starting in the 9th century, Viking ships gained specialization in their design. Warships called longships developed to maneuver through water with ease and speed. These ships were long and slim and capable of carrying large groups of warriors. 

By the 10th century, the Viking longship evolved to include a few variations. Longships were called skeidar. Smaller ships, or snekke, could be used for various purposes. Some ships were decorated with elaborate dragon or snake heads. This category was referred to as drakkar. 

Cargo ships were also specialized during this time. 

These categories of Viking ships became apparent as archaeologists began excavating vessels in the 19th century. Fully preserved Viking ships are extremely rare, but even fragments of ships can tell us much about how the vessels were built and why they sailed. 

The following are some of the most famous excavated Viking ships in history. They are excellent representations of the seafaring culture of the Vikings and their achievements as explorers. 

The famous ships listed below are roughly organized by year of excavation. 

1) Tune Ship 

The Tune ship is a Viking karve, which is a type of small longship. This specific vessel features a broad hull. 

It was found at the Haugen Farm Norway in a ship burial mound in 1867. Olaf Rygh led the excavation and named the ship “Tune” because of its burial in the Tune Parish. 

The karve measures approximately 61 by 14 feet and is made up of fragments. Archaeologists date the Tune ship to around 900 AD. 

The Tune ship is of clinker build, like most other Viking vessels. Clinker construction means that the planks of the hull overlap. 

The Tune ship is currently displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway. 

2) Gokstad Ship

The Gokstad ship is the most famous Viking ship ever excavated and is one of the best preserved in the world. The ship dates to the 9th century and features signature Viking clinker construction. 

The overlapping oak planks can be seen in the photo below. 

The Gokstad ship was found 1880 in a Gokstad, Norway burial mound. 

The ship’s construction made it suitable for war, trade, and transport. The ship measures 78 feet long and 16.7 feet wide. This large ship required up to 32 oarsmen. 

The Gokstad ship is currently displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway. 

3) Oseberg Ship

The Oseberg Ship was excavated in Oseberg, Norway between 1904 and 1905. It dates to the 800s AD. 

This ship is categorized as a karve, which is a small longship. The oak vessel measures 71 feet long and 16 feet wide. 

The Oseberg is famous for its detailed construction. The above photo shows the intricate wood carving found on the ship’s fragments. 

The Oseberg’s fame is partly due to a number of reconstructions of the ship. Reconstructions help the public understand the original design and purpose of the ship. 

4) Ladby Ship

The Ladby ship was excavated in 1934-36 from a burial mound. Although poorly preserved, the ship’s many rivets allowed archaeologists to reconstruct the vessel. 

Interestingly, the Ladby ship was discovered with its anchor. It also featured unique metal spiral decorations. 

Experts date the Ladby ship to the 900s. It is smaller than other discoveries and would have required an estimated 15 to 16 oarsmen. 

5) Haithabu Ship

The Haithabu ship was found in Denmark in 1953. The underwater excavation uncovered a long and narrow ship measuring 31 meters by 2.7 meters. These measurements make the Haithabu ship the narrowest Viking ship ever found. 

The Haithabu vessel required around 30 oarsmen. It dates to approximately 985 AD. 

6) Skuldelev 1 

The Skuldelev 1 ship is one of several vessels uncovered at Skuldelev on the Roskilde Fjord in Denmark. Skuldelev 1 was a cargo ship built around 1030. 

Because of its design as a cargo ship, this vessel measures 15.8 by 4.8 meters. Skuldelev 1 is made of primarily pine planks with oak repairs. The vessel could hold a small crew of 6 to 8 men. 

About 60% of the Skuldelev 1 ship is preserved. Visitors can view the ship at the Viking Ship Museum in Denmark. 

7) Skuldelev 2 

Skuldelev 2 was also found on Roskilde Fjord. This war ship is thought to have been constructed in Ireland in around 1042. It could hold 65-70 warriors and required 60 oarsmen. 

The ship measures 30 meters long and about 4 meters wide. 

Archaeologists uncovered Skuldelev 2 in 1957. Since then, many people have learned about the ship thanks to reconstruction efforts. The above pictures show the Skuldelev 2 reconstruction sailing in waters around Dublin. 

8) Skuldelev 3

Skuldelev 3 is a small trading ship found at Roskilde Fjord in Denmark. The ship was constructed from Danish oak in 1040. 

The ship measures 14 meters by 3 meters. 

9) Skuldelev 5

Skuldelev 5 dates to 1030 and is a small longship designed for sailing in the Baltic Sea. 

The ship is uniquely crafted from both new and used wood. This is a rare characteristic and has puzzled archaeologists. 

The vessel measures 17 meters long and  2.5 meters wide. 50% of the ship has been persevered and is on display in the Viking Ship Museum of Denmark. 

10) Skuldelev 6

Skuldelev 6 is a small fishing boat that is 70% preserved. It was likely built in western Norway in 1030 from a mix of pine, birch and oak wood. 

The vessel measures 11 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. 

11) Gjellestad Ship

The Gjellestad ship excavation is the first of its kind in about a century. Lars Gustavsen and Erich Nau discovered this longship using ground-penetrating radar. 

The ship was buried just below the topsoil at the Gjellestad Farm in Halden, Norway. The discovery was made in 2018 and the site has been undergoing excavation since. 

The ship dates to 733 AD at the earliest. Efforts to preserve the ship started in 2020. 

Besides the longship, the Gjellestad excavation site also includes burial mounds and longhouses. The area is thought to have been a sacred site since the Bronze Age. 

Archaeologists have uncovered large sections of the Gjellestad ship and its rivets. Other items found at the site include a large amber bead, a bracelet, large axes, and the bones of humans, horses, and cattle.