Great fun in Primary 6 creating our Viking longships! ⛰️ A Viking longship, also known as a "longboat," was a type of ship used by the Vikings from around the 9th to 13th centuries. These ships were fast, durable, and designed for long-distance travel, both on open seas and rivers. Key characteristics include:
1. Sleek and narrow design: Longships were long and slender, allowing for speed and flexibility. This design enabled them to navigate shallow waters and even beach directly on shore.
2. Oars and sails: They typically had a single mast with a square sail for wind propulsion and multiple oar stations for manual rowing, making them versatile in various conditions.
3. Symmetrical bow and stern: Both the front (bow) and the back (stern) of the ship were pointed and almost identical, allowing the ship to reverse direction easily.
4. Dragon-head carvings: Many longships had decorative carvings, often of dragons or serpents, on the prow (front), which may have been used to intimidate enemies or for ceremonial purposes.
Viking longships were vital for exploration, trade, and raiding across vast areas, from Scandinavia to as far as North America, the Mediterranean, and the Caspian Sea. They played a crucial role in Viking expansion and their reputation as formidable sailors and warriors.
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