Archaeologists recently uncovered amazing artifacts from Viking graves In Norway – all thanks to a couple of Metal detectors Who accidentally stumbled across the treasure.
Soren Denhof, an archaeologist from the University of Bergen Museum, spoke to Fox News Digital about the discovery on Tuesday. Viking graves were found at Skomsnes Farm in Vytjar, located in southwestern Norway, in the fall of 2023, but initial excavations at the site ended at the end of last year.
Members of the Bjørgvin Detector Club found the graves and immediately notified a local museum about the discovery, Dienhof said. Then archaeologists began working on excavating the first two graves, which date back to between 800 and 850 AD.
Both graves, filled with coins, jewelry and other treasures, belonged to wealthy women, Denhof told Fox News Digital. In the first grave, excavators found “fragments of jewelry indicating that it was a rich grave with significant grave goods.”
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Norwegian archaeologists recently revealed the results of excavations of a Viking grave. (Soren Denhof/University of Bergen)
“There were fragments of two gilt oval brooches (also called tortoise brooches) of Norse origin, (and) fragments of a metal cauldron/dish produced in southern England or Ireland with enamel inlay and animal-shaped handles,” Summary of the Grave Reading the first.
One of the most interesting artifacts discovered was a book clip Vikings It appears to have been reshaped into a clip or brooch. Dienhof explained that it was likely that the clasp was raided from a Christian monastery in the British Isles before the ninth century.
“They put a needle on the back of the clips, which can be used as staples,” the expert described. “We believe the brooch found in the first grave could have come from a Bible in England or Ireland. It was removed and brought back to Norway where it eventually ended up as a woman's brooch.”
Denhoff said most of the fragments were found in the first grave because the site was likely looted shortly after the burial.
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Jewelry beads dating back to before 850 AD were among the excavation finds. (Soren Denhof/University of Bergen)
“We have a suspicion that the first grave was opened a long time ago. It may have been opened in the Viking Age,” he explained, adding that grave plundering “was not uncommon” during the Viking Age, and that it may have been done either to steal valuables or to insult the dead.
“The finds were scattered in parts at the top of and around the grave,” Dienhoff described. “The jewelery was broken into pieces, but the destruction was clearly not due to corrosion. The broken surfaces showed that the artefacts had been deliberately destroyed, most likely when the tomb was reopened.”
But the real treasure was found in the second grave, which contained priceless artifacts ranging from textile production tools to fine jewelry and coins.
“These tools indicate that the buried woman had skills, but more shows that the buried woman was a pioneer in the production of agricultural textiles. Producing high-quality textiles was prestigious and provided significant financial income,” the report explained. “The bronze key found in the grave symbolizes the central position of this woman. She was the holder of the key to the house and, as such, the leader of the farm family. (What is) Perhaps a frying pan in the grave shows the same thing.”
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The research report added: “We found a pearl necklace near the pins.” “It was made up of 46 glass beads of various European and Scandinavian origins, and 11 silver coins were placed between the pearls.”
One coin was minted on Jutland between 832 and 840 AD, while the others were Frankish and produced during the reign of Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne. Louis died in 840 AD
Excavation findings included a valuable brooch (left) and a pin once used as a Bible clasp (right). (Soren Denhoff/University of Bergen)
Overall, Dienhof said that trade between Anglo-Saxons and Vikings was not uncommon, although not all “trade” was necessarily voluntary. The coins in the second grave are believed to have been traded, while the book clip was stolen during the raid.
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In all, archaeologists completely excavated both women's graves, and were able to analyze a third grave that had not been fully excavated but contained a gilded brooch and 25 glass beads. Historians also believe that the deceased may have been part of the same Viking family.
Dienhof noted that there is a sense of urgency regarding digging other graves at the site, of which there are at least 20.
“We fear they will be destroyed in time,” the Vikings expert said. “It was found just under the grass, and there are many ways in which it could be destroyed… Hopefully we can dig some graves every year.”
Dienhof also expressed his gratitude to the metal detectors who found the site.
Archaeologists believe there are several graves found at the site. (Soren Denhof/University of Bergen)
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“If they had not found the site in the first place, we would not have known about the site,” the archaeologist said. “Since the graves we found were directly under the grass, they are very exposed and have likely been lost in time. Now we have the opportunity to excavate this small grave.”
