Without this crucial advance in ship technology, the Vikings would never have become a dominant force in medieval warfare, politics, and trade. The drekar, or dragon-headed longships, were ...
The mast of Vrak 5 (Wreck 5) as seen in the murky water. Screengrab from video shared by Jim Hansson / VRAK / SMTM But the medieval ship’s most unique feature wasn’t its size or layout.