Nydam

A bog in Schleswig, southern Jutland, which yielded a rich votive deposit of the Roman Iron Age. The main finds were more than 100 iron swords (some with damascened blades, others stamped with the maker's name), and a wooden boat some 21 m long. The boat was clinker-built, had no mast or sail and was provided with 15 rowlocks on each side. The bow and sternpost were upturned, and the vessel was steered by an oar. It is now a famous exhibit, the Nydamboot (Nydam boat). This 4th-century Viking ship was discovered in 1863 in the Nydam marsh. It was one of the most important archaeological finds of the Migration Period. The boat is believed to have been typical of the vessels used by the Anglo-Saxon migrants coming to England in the 5th century. Its construction, however, would have made this a dangerous journey and it is likely that its use was confined to the tideless sea of the Baltic.

One of the most important archaeological finds of the Migration Period is the bog deposit from Nydam, southern Jutland. Many objects were ritually deposited in this mere over several centuries, and were fortunately preserved by the peaty soil. The most important of these finds was one of three clinker (plank) built rowing boats which measured 21.5 metres long and 3 metres wide, and was propelled by 15 pairs of oars. This boat has received considerable scholarly attention because some believe it would have been typical of the vessels used by the AngloSaxon migrants coming to England in the 5th century. However, its construction would have made this a dangerous journey and it is likely that its use was confined to the tideless sea of the Baltic.