The Viking longship was a masterpiece of naval engineering and the key to Viking expansion.

It was characterized by its long, narrow hull and shallow draft.

The shallow draft allowed the ship to navigate in both deep seas and shallow rivers, enabling raids far inland.

Its clinker-built construction (overlapping planks) made the hull both strong and flexible.

The ship was double-ended, meaning it could reverse direction quickly without needing to turn around.

It was propelled by a combination of a large, square sail for speed on the open sea and oars for maneuverability.

Famous archaeological finds, like the Gokstad and Oseberg ships in Norway, have provided detailed information about their construction.

Different types of ships existed, including the 'longship' for warfare and the wider 'knarr' for transporting cargo.

The design was perfectly suited for 'hit-and-run' tactics, allowing Vikings to strike quickly and disappear before a defense could be mounted.

The longship was a powerful symbol in Viking culture and was often used in the burial rituals of important chieftains.