The Vikings' shipbuilding skill made them the dominant sea power in Europe for three centuries (800-1100 AD) and allowed them to excel as explorers, tradesmen, and warriors. Their wooden longships, decorated with a dragon's head at the prow, were swift and maneuverable. The ships' shallow draft made it possible for the Vikings to land on any beach and navigate rivers.
To learn more about the Leif Ericson Millennium Year, visit http://www.leif2000.org on the Web.