Maritime findings of sensationel character
The sensational discovery of the Hjortspringboat (350 BC) near Guderup on island Als and the Nydamboat (320 AD) at Sundeved, has marked maritime history in Europe.
These are NOT Viking ships!
Often, the Hjortspring boat and especially the Nydam boat are mistakenly referred to as Viking ships. However, we are talking about two sensational maritime findings showing the development within shipbuilding over a time of 700 years. From the Hjortspringboat, a light war canoe dated 350 BC to the more stable clinker-built Nydamboat dated 320 AD.
Unfortunately, the original bog findings are not at a museum in Sønderborg. The Hjortspringboat is exhibited at National Museum in Copenhagen and the Nydamboat can be seen at Gottorp Castle, a 1-hour drive south of the border to Germany.
However fiery souls makes it possible to see true copies of the two boats. At Hjortspringbådens Laug, situated in the small village Holm on North Als, they have built the replica Tilia Alsie, instead of built we might have to say sewed and at Sottrupskov Storskov on the mainland you´ll find the somewhat larger oak boat, Nydam Tveir.
Nydam Tveir is laying in the water during summer, and the members of Nydamlauget rows a tour in the ship every Tuesday evening - f, of course, the weather god, Thor, is merciful!
Bog finds and reconstructions
Bogs still hold a special allure and mystique today. This is where offerings were made to the gods, and the Hjortspring boat and the Nydam boat were taken as spoils of war and submerged along with a large quantity of weapons.
This is a Viking ship!
The Viking Age spanned from around 800 to 1050, and during this period, several decommissioned ships were chosen to be submerged at Skuldelev in the Roskilde Fjord, blocking the entrance and providing protection against outsiders.
Sebbe Als
