The island of Bygdøy is home to one of the city’s most exclusive residential areas as well as a number of museums that collectively reflect Norway’s cultural history and national life.

In addition to the Norsk Folkemuseum, the Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ship Museum) is situated on Bygdøy, featuring three of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships from the ninth century.

This is the Oseberg Ship, discovered in 1904 by archaeologists in a grave with the remains of two women and a large number of artifacts. About 90 percent of the 22-meter (72-feet)-long ship is of the original oak. It was rowed by a crew of 30 men, who would have had to sit on their own wooden ship’s chests since there were no seats. The oars could be drawn in when the square sail was raised. The ship was built between A.D. 815-820, and was later used as a grave ship for two women of high rank who died in A.D. 834.

A front view of the Oseberg Ship, posted earlier: