1. Viking Ships

2. Anatomy of a Viking Ship
Planks
Heavy wooden keel
Prow
Square sail
Tall central mast
Steering oar
Oar
Shields
Seats
Figurehead

3. Provincial Roman or Germanic, 4th-6th century AD
From the River Schelde near Appels, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium (British Museum)
The figurehead was discovered in 1934, and for a long time afterwards it was widely thought to be from a Viking ship of the ninth to eleventh century. A few doubts were raised about the style. In 1970 The British Museum's Research Laboratory undertook carbon-14 analysis on the wood. The results left little doubt that the figurehead was carved much earlier than had been previously thought.

5. Dragon Figurehead (The Mariners’ Museum)

6. Modern replica of Dragonhead

7. Replica of a figurehead from Olso

8. Design ideas…

9. Now it’s your turn….
What would you put on the front of your ship to inspire your crew and intimidate your enemies?