Longships were a type of specialised Scandinavian warships that have a long history in Scandinavia, with their existence being archaeologically proven and documented from at least the fourth century BC. Originally invented and used by the Norsemen for commerce, exploration, and warfare during the Viking Age, many of the longship's characteristics were adopted by other cultures, like Anglo-Saxons, and continued to influence shipbuilding for centuries.
Full-scale replica of a Viking snekkja based in Morąg, Poland
Construction of the 35 m long Skeid longship Draken Harald Hårfagre
The city seal of Bergen depicts a Viking longship — possibly a drakkar.
The Stora Hammars I stone, Sweden showing armed warriors in a longship
Viking ships were marine vessels of unique structure, used in Scandinavia from the Viking Age throughout the Middle Ages.
The boat-types were quite varied, depending on what the ship was intended for, but they were generally characterized as being slender and flexible boats, with symmetrical ends with true keel. They were clinker built, which is the overlapping of planks riveted together. Some might have had a dragon's head or other circular object protruding from the bow and stern for design, although this is only inferred from historical sources. Viking ships were used both for military purposes and for long-distance trade, exploration and colonization.
A modern replica of a Viking ship. This ship is of the snekkja longship type.
The Gokstad ship, on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway
The Söderala vane, presumably once used on a Viking ship
The Ladby ship is part of a ship burial that has been preserved where it was discovered, with a museum built around it