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OSLO, Norway, Dec 20, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The University of Oslo decided Wednesday to move Norway's famed Viking ships to a new museum to be built on Oslo's redeveloped waterfront.
The relocation is planned even though there are fears the move could damage the ancient wooden vessels, Oslo's Aftenposten newspaper reports.
The ships, dating from the eighth to 11th centuries, are to move to the new Museum of Cultural History planned for Bjorvika harbor, where the city's new Opera House is set to open in 2008.
The vote followed the cultural history museum's recommendation the ships move to the new location.
"The Viking ships are among the world's most important cultural monuments," university President Geir Ellingsrud said. "The purpose of a move is to give them the best conditions for preserving them, provide better security and enhance their accessibility to the public."
Ellingsrud said the university made its decision after consulting with "the best-qualified" experts to evaluate the risks of moving the ships and determined it could move them without danger or serious damage.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
