Langhus

Langhus – longhouse is a type of shelter built by VIkings in early Middle Ages. It was long and narrow and resembled and upside down ship. Vikings built their houses from local material such as wood, stone or blocks of turf, covering roof. In lands with limited wood supply, stone or peat houses were common. These houses were typically dug into the ground deeper to reduce the amount of materials needed to construct the walls.

Langhus was often one room home with a cooking fire in the middle. The smoke escaped through a hole in the roof. Animals and people (families along with slaves) lived in the same building.

Homes had very little furniture. Wooden benches were used for sitting and as beds. For warmth and softness, fur rugs covered the floor, the benches, and sometimes the walls. Windows were placed in roofs and covered with thin animal skin.