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Ancient Viking ship found buried just 20 inches below ground on Norwegian farm

A one thousand year old Viking ship has been found resting just twenty inches below ground on a farm in Norway.

It is estimated to measure about 66 feet long and appears to be largely intact.

Archaeologists using ground-penetrating radar also found what appears to be a number of graves suggesting the vessel was buried as part of a funeral ritual.

The boat's physical condition is currently unknown, with one of the researchers commenting: "Yes, there was a boat there, but it's hard to say how much wood is left." To date, only three well-preserved Viking ships been found in Norway. The team is planning to conduct more non-invasive research but is unsure if an excavation will be conducted.

Project leader Lars Gustavsen, an archaeologist from the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (Niku), told The Guardian: "The ship burial does not exist in isolation, but forms part of a cemetery which is clearly designed to display power and influence."