The Heart and Soul – 50 years with the Ships of the Vikings

In 1962 the remains of five Viking ships emerged from the mud at Roskilde Fjord. The find turned our knowledge of Viking Age maritime culture upside down, became crucial for the maritime archaeology in Denmark and is the foundation for the Viking Ship Museum.

With the exhibition Heart and Soul the Museum celebrates the 50th anniversary of the excavation of the Skuldelev ships. The exhibition is based on the enthusiasm and dreams that built bridge between researchers, craftsmen and sailors and shaped the museum into what it is today.

Thus the exhibition invites you to meet the heart and soul of the museum. Go on a journey through years of passionate work with the ships of the Vikings – from the excavation and assembling of the big, scientific puzzle. We step 50 years back to the excavation and get close to the boat-builders and follow the sailing reconstructions on trial voyages. But visitors are also invited to watch films from the excavation and witness the Sea Stallion battle in a fierce gale as well as follow the building process from cardboard model to a sailing vessel. Finally smell the pine tar, listen to the sound of an axe, the ocean and voices from the museum or try your hand at research and see ship models, construction drawings, press clippings and ship parts that have never been exhibited before.

The exhibition can be seen in the Viking Ship Hall’s ground floor. 
At the website it is possible to read interviews with people who have worked within this exciting project for 50 years. More information will be made available a the website during spring 2013. Remember to check in if you live far away on the other side of the glob. Otherwise the Museum is well worth a visit when you travel to  Denmark in order to see the exhibition in Copenhagen

The Viking Ship Museum
Vindeboder 12
DK-4000 Roskilde
Denmark