Salme ships

The Salme ships, discovered on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia, are a significant archaeological find comprising two Scandinavian clinker-built vessels used for ship burials in the Nordic Iron Age around 700–750 CE. These ships contained the remains of 41 warriors, suggesting a battle-related event. The presence of ritually sacrificed dogs and falconry hawks among the grave goods, along with a variety of weapons, indicates the burials' high-status nature. Isotope analysis traces the origin of the warriors to central Sweden, while DNA testing reveals familial relationships among them. The Salme ships offer crucial insights into early Scandinavian seafaring, warfare, and burial practices, challenging the conventional timeline of Viking activity in the Baltic region.