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[00:00.43] Archaeologists were excavating Britain's largest Scandinavian cremation mounds when they found the animal remains mixed in with humans.

[00:07.60] By using a technique called strontium isotope analysis, the scientists from Durham University could trace back the origin of the bones to Scandinavia.

[00:16.39] They say it's the first scientific evidence that animals travelled with the Vikings to England on their longboats.

[00:23.30] The researchers suggest it was probably a wet, windy and uncomfortable trip that could have taken several weeks.

[00:29.94] A horse and dog were found in the same graves as humans.

[00:33.39] Scientists say this shows that the Vikings had a special relationship with the creatures, which were more like pets than animals for economic purposes like farming.

[00:42.16] Space would have been limited on the longboats, suggesting that a Viking leader chose his or her favourite animals to make the long journey to England.