Mykleustskipet
The Mykleustskipet (Mykleust ship) was excavated in 1874 in a burial mound in Mykleust in Nordfjordeid, Norway, in Fylke Vestland .
With a length of over 30 m, it is the largest Viking ship found in Norway . It is believed that King Audbjørn of Fjordane was buried and burned in the ship. In the sagas it is mentioned that King Audbjørn died in the year 876 in the Battle of Solskjel in Nordmøre.
During the excavations in the 4.0 m high and 30 m diameter burial mound, the archaeologist Anders Lund Lorange (1847-1888) found large amounts of boat nails and 44 shield bosses (Skjoldbuler), weapons and a bronze cauldron with the bones of a 30-35 year old old man. Large amounts of animal bones were also found in the burial mound.
No wood residues were found in the burial mound. From the discovery of 44 shield bosses it can be concluded that the ship had 22 shields on each side and thus also 22 oar holes. Assuming that each rudder was operated by two men, the ship had a crew of around 90 men. The ship was probably of the same design as the Oseberg ship from the 9th century.
As is typical for Viking ships, the Mykleustskipet was also built using clinker construction, with the planks attached so that they overlap and riveted with iron rivets.
Reconstruction of the my Klebustskipet
Boat builders from Bjørkedalen started building a reconstruction of the My Klebust ship in autumn 2016. Since only a few remains of the original have survived because of the cremation, it can only be guessed what it actually looked like. The new Mykleustskipet was completed in spring 2019.
The exhibition Sagastad
The Mykleustskipet can be viewed in a newly built hall on the fjord bank in Nordfjordeid.
The ship's deck may be stepped on, touching the ship is expressly permitted. The exhibition also provides information about the Viking Age and boat building. An app for private smartphones is available for German-speaking visitors. The visitor can listen to explanations of the individual stations of the exhibition in German via the free WiFi.
Photo gallery
Deck of the Mykleustskipet seen from stern to bow.
Bug
Stern with rudder
Rudder
Hull of the Mykleustskipet with the rudder
Copper kettle with twelve shield bosses
