An informative giftbook about Viking ships, published to accompany the display of the unique Roskilde 6 longship at the British Museum as part of the exhibition Vikings: life and legend, 6 March to 22 June 2014.

The Viking ship is one of the most iconic images of the Vikings and the longship in particular has been central to our understanding of the Viking Age. The Vikings used their shipbuilding skills to command the sea and their famous ships permitted the exploration, colonization and raids for which they are best known.

This book explores the evolution of their sea-going vessels and celebrates this outstanding feature of the Viking Age. In addition to well-known ships such as the spectacular burials from Gokstad and Oseberg in southern Norway, The Viking Ship features the newly-conserved Roskilde 6 from Denmark. Measuring at over 37 metres, the longboat is the longest Viking ship to have been discovered to date and forms the core of the exhibition Vikings: life and legend.

Beautifully illustrated with images of Viking ships themselves as well as an unexpected range of objects, this title celebrates the ongoing legacy of the Vikings.