[fellerts]

For context, I assume the author is referring to the Oseberg Ship: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oseberg_Ship

It's rather humbling to walk into its display room and I urge anyone visiting Oslo to check it out.

[deltarholamda]

The construction methods of longboats is really quite impressive. You get a lot of strength out of the clinker-style construction, but the structure retains a lot of flexibility so it moves with the ocean. Which means you can trade beam for length and get a faster boat.

And it was the SUV of its day. Shallow draft meant it had access to inland waterways, much to the consternation of various monasteries and villages.

[ianburrell]

I think it is interesting that when author switched to thinking they were smart, he could only talk about religion. Not about the technology or how it developed.