drakkar
A drakkar is a type of longship used by the Norse people during the Viking Age. Characterized by its sleek design and shallow draft, it allowed for swift travel across seas and rivers. The ship often featured a dragon or serpent figurehead, which is where the name "drakkar" comes from, as "drakkar" means "dragon" in Old Norse.
These vessels were primarily used for exploration, trade, and warfare. Their construction involved overlapping planks, making them both strong and flexible. The Vikings, known for their seafaring skills, utilized drakkars to reach distant lands, including parts of Europe and North America.