206 FORESTRY OF NORWAY. 



were used as grooves through which the ropes passed is 

 evident from the fact that their circular openings are 

 completely worn by use a proof, at the same time, that 

 this ship must have frequently ploughed the sea before 

 rinding a last resting-place in the grave mound. How these 

 pieces of wood, which are constructed of excellent oak, 

 were fastened to the mast or the body of a ship, is a 

 problem, the solution of which will be of great interest, 

 If this point be successfully cleared up we will obtain a 

 hitherto unexpected insight into the method in which a 

 Norwegian Viking ship was handled during manoeuvres in 

 the eighth or ninth century. Among the other wooden 

 implements are several spades almost entire. A fact of 

 very great interest is the rinding of many shields, or, 

 speaking more correctly, remnants of shields ; for of the 

 wooden shield nothing has been preserved to us but the 

 iron plate which strengthened its outer side. From the 

 present position of these remnants it is evident that a 

 great part of the inner side of the bulwarks formed 

 hanging places for the shields of the crew. The distance 

 between each shield is found to be almost exactly 1J feet, 

 and it is probable that the number of the shields nearly 

 corresponds with the number of fighting men on board. 

 Of human remains only a few calcined bones have, as yet, 

 been found, which seem to indicate that either the bodies 

 of these latter, or of the persons buried on the spot had 

 been burned. On the other hand, the skeletons of three 

 horses have been discovered, two on the right and one on 

 left side of the stern. It is possible that the opening of 

 the grave itself, which is in the centre of the ship, may 

 bring more human remains to light ; but the latter remains 

 as yet untouched, the principal object having hitherto 

 been to free the ship in its entire length and breadth from 

 the surrounding masses of earth. After the excavation 

 has been completed the ship will be drawn up .to the 

 surface/ 



The roof of a cathedral church, built in what is popu- 



