Their Ships

The Vikings were farmers, fishermen, warriors, and thieves. They attacked and/or pillaged villages and small towns along the coast. They fought quickly, got the goods, and left before anyone else could see them. Their boats were the main form of transportation for many years. They were made of strong and flexible wood, often having the head of a dragon or some other form of mythical creature on the front of the boat. "Dragon Boats" were important vessels providing trade, transport, and a job for many. Because of their extreme importance, they became a symbol of Pagan religion. The ships were a symbol of power, strength, and prowess which is the reason many chiefs and leaders were buried in, or with a fully intact ship.
Due to the cultural influence, Viking boats became the most advanced naval technology of the Middle Ages.