1886.] PROCEEDINGS OP UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 459 



while, the miscellaneous character of that still remaining gives reason 

 to infer that a manifold collection of weapons, ornaments, and utensils 

 had originally been deposited. Thus, several iron fish-hooks and a 

 turned draughtsman of horn were found in the grave-chamber. The 

 most remarkable of the remaining articles are two ornamental mount- 

 ings for belts or straps, one of gilded bronze, beautifully executed in a 

 peculiar and characteristic style, and the other of lead. Of wearing 

 apparel belonging to the deceased a few small fragments were found, 

 some of gold brocade. 



A great number of animals must have been sacrificed on the occa- 

 sion of this burial. The bones of at least 12 horses and G dogs, as also 

 the bones and feathers of a pea-fowl, were collected from different parts 

 of the mound. 



The various articles of antiquarian value found in the barrow, to- 

 gether with the style of ornamentation in the carving of different parts 

 of the ship, sufficiently attest the correctness of the inference concern- 

 ing her antiquity which the mere fact of entombing a vessel in itself 

 entitles us to draw, namely, that she belongs to the period extending 

 from the year 800 to 1050 after Christ. 



Mr. Mcolaysen in his description of this boat says:^ '^That there may 

 yet be found in many parts of our country, near its sea coast, tumuli 

 containing ships in tolerable preservation, is by no means imj)robable ; 

 though this can only occur when the underground is blue clay ; but any 

 larger or better appointed vessel can scarcely be found. Still, it is not 

 impossible that one may yet be brought to light whose exceptionally 

 careful conservation will enable us to elucidate that which in the Gok- 

 stad ship is still wanting, and specially show the height of the posts and 

 the form and fixing of the oarsmen's ben ches in our ancient vessels. 

 Certain, nevertheless, it is that we shall not disinter any craft which, 

 in respect of model and workmanshij), will outrival that of Gokstad. 

 For, in the opinion of experts, this must be deemed a masterpiece of 

 its kind, not to be surpassed by aught which the shipbuilding craft of 

 the present age could produce. Doubtless, in the ratio of our present 

 ideas, this is rather a boat than a ship ; nevertheless, in its symmetrical 

 proportions and the eminent beauty of its lines is exhibited a perfec- 

 tion never since attained, until, after a much later but long and dreary 

 period of clumsy unshapelmess, it was once more revived in the clipper- 

 built craft of our own country." 



'Nicolayseu, Laugskibet, etc., p. 71. 



