A major exhibition opened at the British Museum in March 2014 showing how the Viking age (800-1050 CE) instigated major changes across Europe. The Vikings built an international network connecting four continents; central to their achievements were shipbuilding skills and their prowess as seafarers. Many who visited the exhibition, or watched Vikings Live, will remember the ship Roskilde 6, excavated from Roskilde fjord in 1997. Timbers from the ship were displayed in a steel frame recreating the original shape of the hull. In the courtyard of the museum, however, was a much smaller and a complete vessel, decked with a linen sail in red and yellow stripes. The boat is owned by Traders Invaders and Raiders, a company that offers re-enactment and film services, and is involved in educational projects and well known for their collection of 'historic' ships. On 16 April 2014, Uruz sailed (well, actually it was towed) up the Thames, past the Houses of Parliament, on its way to the British Museum where it stayed until May 6.
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