Oseberg Viking longship on the move!

"The Oseberg Ship, the best-preserved Viking longship in existence, has moved for the first time since it was installed in the Oslo's Viking Ship Museum 99 years ago. It took 10 hours to travel 100 meters (328 feet), and that's not counting more than a decade of research, funding battles, engineering innovations and construction that made it possible. The remains of a ship were first discovered in 1903 at the Lille Oseberg farm in Slagen, Vestfold, by farmer Oskar Rom."

"He reported his find to University of Oslo archaeologist Gabriel Gustafson who went to see for himself, and immediately recognized the elaborate zoomorphic decoration on the wooden ship as dating to the Viking Age. He returned to excavate the site next spring, and uncovered hundreds of spectacular grave goods a four-wheeled wagon, three intricately carved sleighs, tools, kitchen utensils, tents, textiles, carved animal heads and the skeletal remains of two women."

"In a pioneering effort of preservation, the wood was slowly dried and the ship reconstructed with as much as the original wood as possible. It took 21 years, but it was a masterful feat of restoration, and still today 90% of the reconstructed ship is made of the original wood."

The Oseberg Ship moved for the first time in 99 years, taking 10 hours to travel 100 meters after more than a decade of research, funding battles, engineering innovations, and construction. Remains were discovered in 1903 at Lille Oseberg farm by farmer Oskar Rom, who reported the find to University of Oslo archaeologist Gabriel Gustafson. Gustafson recognized zoomorphic decoration as Viking Age and excavated the site, uncovering hundreds of grave goods including a four-wheeled wagon, carved sleighs, tools, textiles, carved animal heads, and two female skeletons. Researchers dated the ship to 820, found 14 years of sea use, and a burial in 834. Private donors purchased and donated the ship and funded a pioneering 21-year conservation that preserved about 90% of the original wood; the vessel later resided in a museum that far exceeded its intended visitor capacity.

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