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Gemetselde

Gemetselde is a type of medieval shipbuilding construction technique used in Northern Europe. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "gemir," meaning mast, and "selda," meaning scaffold or framework. This building method was prominent in the 12th to 15th centuries, particularly in the Scandinavian countries and the British Isles.

In gemetselde construction, a ship was built around a central mast, which was the main structural element

The gemetselde technique involved building the ship constructively around the mast, starting from the keel upwards.

Some of the key characteristics of gemetselde construction include the use of a keel made from a

of
the
vessel.
The
mast
was
supported
by
a
framework
of
ribs
and
planking,
which
were
secured
with
treenails,
metal
rivets,
or
wooden
pegs.
The
use
of
the
central
mast
allowed
for
a
more
symmetrical
ship
design,
which
provided
better
stability
and
maneuverability.
The
hull
was
assembled
using
a
system
of
overlapping
planks,
which
were
then
secured
to
the
mast
framework.
This
method
provided
excellent
structural
integrity
and
allowed
for
the
building
of
larger,
more
complex
ships.
single
tree,
the
use
of
caulked
seams
to
repel
water,
and
the
presence
of
decorative
carvings
and
other
ornate
features.
Some
of
the
most
notable
examples
of
ships
built
using
the
gemetselde
technique
include
the
Oseberg
ship,
discovered
in
Norway
in
1904,
and
the
Gjellestad
ship,
discovered
in
Norway
in
2020.
These
shipwrecks
have
provided
significant
insights
into
the
shipbuilding
practices
and
maritime
culture
of
the
Viking
Age.