Viking longships
Scandinavian raiding boats
Viking longships were the wooden sailing vessels used by Scandinavian seafarers from roughly the 8th to 11th centuries.
Long, narrow, and shallow-drafted, they could navigate both open oceans and rivers, making them ideal for raiding, trading, and exploration.
Their distinctive curved prows often featured carved dragon heads.
The design allowed crews to row when winds failed and to beach directly on shores without harbors.
- dragon headMint family herb
- prowVessel's forward section
- sailShip's wind-catching fabric
- keelHull's structural base
- mastVessel's sail support
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