The Oseberg ship is the Viking vessel discovered in a burial mound near Tønsberg, Norway, in 1904. It was built mainly of oak and richly decorated with carved animal and plant designs.
The burial dates to the early 9th century and contained two women, along with sledges, a cart, textiles, tools, and other grave goods. The ship itself was not simply a ceremonial object; its construction shows that it could have sailed, although it was less suited to rough ocean voyages than some other Viking ships.
The Oseberg find is important because it preserves evidence about elite identity, craft, transport, ritual, and the roles of women in Viking society. The Gokstad ship, discovered nearby, is a separate and later burial vessel.