Viking Longships

S2 E1: The longship is an iconic symbol of the Viking Age and one of history’s most effective war machines. We visit the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo to reveal the role this vessel played in helping the Nordic warriors dominate Europe for over 200 years. We also examine the craftsmanship and ingenious design that went into building a longship, with overlapping panels to give it strength while allowing the frame to be lighter, and its shallow draft shape that made it perfect for storming beaches.