My parents are on vacation in Norway and my mom just sent me a cool picture of an authentic viking ship in a museum. I was shocked how low to the water they are (basically like canoes). (Another angle)These things crossed some pretty rough seas, so how were they not constantly taking on water in the swells and sinking? It just seems like a bizarre design (but obviously there’s likely a good explanation that’s eluding me).

Another aspect that surprised me was that there doesn’t look like there’s much room for cargo. It’s just benches for dudes to row, so where did they stash all of the loot from their pillaging on the way home?