On the island of Saaremaa, near Salme village, Tallinn University archeologists have discovered the remains of two Viking ships.

It emerged that these are the oldest Viking ships found in the Baltic Sea region. The Vikings had sailed such vessels since the 7th century.

One of the ships has remained a surviving fragment of a keel; therefore, it is assumed that the boat was equipped with sails.

The emergence of sailing ships in the Baltic Sea is dated approximately from the 7th-8th centuries.

With the appearance of sailing ships, marauding Vikings flourished in the Scandinavian region. The Vikings that arrived on the island of Saaremaa had not yet been experienced fighters.

It is believed that the Viking ship came to the island from the present-day Norwegian region. Their goal was to rob the local people.