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Ship burials were an ancient Germanic tradition, most famously linked with high-status Vikings. However, nearly every Germanic tribe practiced this rite, which often included building a ship to serve as a tomb for the deceased.
In some cases, the body was simply buried inside the ship. In other instances, the body was placed within and the ship was set ablaze to honor the individual through cremation. Modern technologies continue to uncover such burial sites.
10. Trondheim, Norway
Most ship burials are enigmas when first discovered, as the ship's structure (at least the wooden parts) is rarely preserved. Remarkably, only three well-maintained ships have been found in Norway.
However, beneath a market square in Trondheim, Norway, one such ship was uncovered. Although no wood remained, nails and other metal remains from a 1,000-year-old boat were found, confirming it was a ship burial.
Additional excavations revealed bone fragments and other materials, which were DNA tested and are believed to be human. A bronze sheet was found against the skeleton, along with various burial artifacts.
A key to a small box was also buried alongside the skeleton. These rituals were a significant part of the Germanic peoples' religious practices for centuries, symbolizing their reverence for the deceased.
9. Eyjafjorour, Iceland
Another shipwreck was uncovered off the coast of Iceland, between the village of Hjalteyri and the small town of Akureyri. This was part of a later burial, with not all burials involving ships.
Though the site had not been disturbed by grave robbers—unfortunately a common occurrence with ancient burials—the erosion from the ocean had taken its toll. Several burial mounds were found, including one that originally contained a ship. Further excavation revealed another nearby ship burial.
These remains are thought to be from the Viking Age. At this location, half of a ship was discovered, the other half having been lost to time and the sea. Beneath the surface, the bones of a man and a sword were also found.
8. The Gokstad Ship
Another ship burial from Norway, dating back to around AD 900, is the Gokstad ship, now displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. This remarkable vessel could both sail and be rowed, with 16 oar holes on each side, allowing 32 people to row at once.
Sometimes, the Germanic peoples meticulously built a ship specifically for a burial. Other times, they used existing vessels that had already seen use. When discovered, the Gokstad ship was adorned with 32 shields. It was part of the larger Gokstad Burial, which involved the burial of someone of high social importance.
The skeleton found belonged to a large, powerful man in his forties, who likely died in battle more than a millennium ago. The man, whose identity remains unknown, was buried with numerous gifts, and it’s believed he perished from a knife wound to his right thigh.
7. Gotland, Sweden
The tradition of ship burial didn’t begin with wooden ships or decommissioned naval vessels, but with stone ships—symbolic structures built to surround a person of significant social standing after death. Sometimes, these were used for mass burials as well.
The stones were arranged, often resembling the design of Stonehenge, in the shape of a ship. The deceased would be placed inside. Three such symbolic stone ships were discovered in Gotland, Sweden, a small island known for its numerous burial sites.
In Gotland, the main stone ship aligned with a megalithic tomb structure designed for mass burial. Before the creation of individual ships for cremation, these symbolic stone ships were monumental markers for the deceased and reflect the Germanic belief in the afterlife. The ships remain on display and attract many tourists.
6. Anundshog, Sweden
The site at Anundshog is the largest burial mound in Sweden, standing 9 meters (30 feet) tall and 60 meters (200 feet) in diameter. It also contains a symbolic stone ship.
While the precise date of the ship’s construction and the burials within it remain uncertain, this site provides evidence that the ritual of ship burials predates the Viking Age. Jewels and other gifts were placed in this mass grave, and remnants of food were found, suggesting that those who built the site aimed to provide sustenance for their departed loved ones on their journey to the afterlife.
5. Kallandso, Sweden
A similar ship burial was discovered in Kallandso, Sweden, dating back to the pre-Viking era, likely from the seventh century. This ship is thought to originate from the Vendel period (550–793) and contained burial offerings and deceased animals similar to other burial sites.
It is believed that this ship was set ablaze and used as a funeral pyre to cremate the deceased individual honored in the ceremony over a thousand years ago.
4. Oslo, Norway
A recent discovery near Oslo, Norway, could potentially be the largest burial ship ever unearthed. Although it has only been detected using technology, archaeologists are confident of its presence. The ship measures about 20 meters (65 feet) in length, a size that is rare for such vessels.
It is believed that the ship was most likely the burial site for a deceased king or queen. While there are no immediate plans to excavate the site, only time will reveal what lies beneath. It is assumed that the ship is part of a larger burial complex, not just isolated in the Norwegian farmland.
3. The Oseberg Ship
A rare discovery, the Oseberg ship was unearthed in Norway in 1903 when a farmer accidentally uncovered part of a burial site. An archaeological team promptly initiated preliminary excavation that autumn. However, to ensure the preservation of the ship, they postponed further digging until the following summer when the weather was more favorable.
The Oseberg ship might be the most well-preserved burial vessel ever found. It is now housed at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway. The meticulous process used to craft this ship indicates that its contents were of great importance, underscoring the significance of the individual it was meant to honor.
In its prime, the Oseberg ship was hauled ashore and used to bury two women. The items found within were remarkable, including animal heads, garments, tools, utensils, six dogs, 15 horses, and two cows. This highlights the incredible care that went into the burial rituals of both men and women during that era.
2. Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo, located in Suffolk, England, is the site of a ship burial from the Anglo-Saxon period. With 19 or 20 burial mounds, it stands as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the Germanic peoples. The artifacts unearthed at Sutton Hoo have provided valuable insights into Anglo-Saxon life and culture.
Among the grave goods found at Sutton Hoo were gold and silver treasures from as far as the Byzantine Empire, suggesting the burial was for someone of great importance. Interestingly, no human remains were discovered at the site, leaving the identity of the deceased a mystery.
Despite this, the vast array of artifacts uncovered makes this one of the most significant and monumental discoveries related to ship burials. It further demonstrates that the ancient Germanic burial practice extended far beyond the Viking realms.
1. Ardnamurchan, Scotland
An intriguing find was the burial site of a ship thought to be over 1,000 years old. Measuring only 5 meters (16 ft) in length, it was a small vessel by travel standards. Yet, the individual interred there was likely a distinguished and seasoned warrior.
The discovery of a well-preserved shield, axe, drinking horn tip, and iron rivets adds immense archaeological and historical value, offering the strongest evidence that a ship once rested at the site.
The artifacts found at the site came from as distant places as Norway and Ireland, leading to the belief that the remains likely belonged to a well-traveled soldier with significant combat experience. It is believed the body was discovered and probably belonged to a Viking chieftain.
