The Vikingskiphuset houses three of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships from the 9th century.
This is the 24m long Gokstad Ship, excavated in 1880. The remains of a 60-year-old man (thought
to be a king of Vestfold), a sledge, three small boats, a gangplank and 64 shields were uncovered.
The clinker-built vessel has 16 pieces of oak planking on each side, and was not intended for long
voyages but for warfare, trade and the transportation of people and cargo. The ship was built to
carry 32 oarsmen.