Moving viking ships

The Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo is in process of
evaluating the possibility to transport the Oseberg ship, now
displayed at the Viking Ship Museum <URL:http://www.khm.uio.no>, to
a new museum planned in the centre of Oslo (approximately 5 km
away).

We have already carried out a preliminary risk analysis in
2000-2002.  In 2005 we have initiated a so-called 'Round 2' of the
risk analysis process, this time primarily focusing on the Oseberg
ship.  Round 2 involves, among other things, a strength analysis of
the ship.  The results should be available by the end of this year.

Another aspect of Round 2 involves the investigation of possible
transport methods for moving this ship.  It is regarding this part
of the process that we seek input from the museum community.  We
would welcome information from anyone who would be able to evaluate
potential transport methods (including support-design) for moving
the ship.

The Viking Ship Museum also houses a collection which includes two
more Viking ships (ca 22m long, 5 m wide and ca 1.5 m high), and
objects found in the ships.  Objects, such as a wagon (ca 3.5 m
long, 1.5m wide and 1.5m high)  and 3 sleds (ca 2.5 m long, ca 1m
wide and 1 m high), are among the most challenging to consider for
transport due to their previous conservation (using alum salts) and
their highly restored nature.

Results from analyses related to the Oseberg ship will be relevant
in evaluating the transport of the remaining two ships.  The large
alum-conserved objects will be considered as a separate group,
regarding transport issues.

Susan Braovac
Objects Conservator, Department of Conservation
Museum of Cultural History
University of Oslo
PO Box 6762 St.Olavs plass
NO-0130 Oslo, Norway
+47 22 85 93 40
Fax: +47 22 85 95 24


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:16
               Distributed: Thursday, September 22, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-19-16-018
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