At the Viking Ship Museum, Bygdøy, Oslo.

This is the Oseberg Viking Ship. It was found in 1904 in the county of Vestfold, south of Oslo. Archeologists have dated the ship from about year 820. It was used to bury two prominent viking women in 834. It was buried underneath about 20 ft of grass peat and therefore very well preserved. When found in 1904, the grass peat cover had sunken down to only about 6 ft.

Many personal items were found in the burial mound, but no jewelry. It had been robbed already during the Viking time. Shovels used by the robbers were found when uncovering the viking burial site in 1904.

This is the Godstad Viking Ship. It was found in 1880 in the city of Sandefjord, also south of Oslo. The ship was built in about year 900. Again, the ship was buried in a ground that preserved it very well, in blue clay. They found the remains of a 40 years old man in this ship.

Many traces of viking burial grounds have been found all over Norway, but the ground wasn't always the best for preservation. These two ships were in great condition after so many hundreds of years because of the good conditions. In 1893 a reconstruction of this ship sailed over the Atlantic Ocean to be displayed at the World Faire in Chicago. Another reconstruction was made and sailed again in 1990.

The dead were buried with many items for 'survival' in the afterlife. The valuables were robbed early on, probably already in the Viking times. Here are some items found. Combs (above).

Ornamental sleigh.

Shoes.

This is a coffin found in one of the burial mounds. When the archeologists first found the remains, they to tests and then buried it all again. Later, they discovered that there was lots of water in the area, dug the coffins out and found that some of the bones had been damaged. They decided not to bury the remains again. You can now see it at the museum.

These are the remains after the 40 year old man found in the Gokstad Ship.