Archaeologists recently unveiled surprising artifacts from a Viking grave in Norway. This is all thanks to two metal detectorists who unknowingly found the treasure.
Søren Dinhof, an archaeologist at the University of Bergen Museum, spoke to Fox News Digital about the discovery on Tuesday. The Viking grave was discovered in fall 2023 at the Skumsnes farm in Fjjar, southwestern Norway, but initial excavations at the site were completed late last year.
Dinhof said the grave was discovered by members of the Bjorgvin Detector Club, who immediately reported the discovery to a local museum. Archaeologists then began excavating the first two tombs. Both of these tombs date from between 800 and 850 AD.
Dinhoff told Fox News Digital that both graves were filled with coins, jewelry and other treasures and belonged to wealthy women. In the first tomb, excavators found “shards of jewelry indicating that it was a rich tomb with important grave goods.”
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Norwegian archaeologists recently announced the results of an excavation of a Viking tomb. (Soren Dinhof/University of Bergen)
“There were some gold-plated oval brooches (also called turtle brooches) of Scandinavian origin. [and] “Fragment of a metal cauldron/dish made in southern England or Ireland with enamel inlay and animal-shaped handles,” reads the synopsis of the first tomb.
One of the most interesting artifacts discovered was a book clasp that the Vikings likely adapted as a buckle or brooch pin. Dinhoff explained that the clasp was probably looted from a Christian monastery in the Britannic Islands before the 9th century.
“There was a needle stuck into the back of the clasp, so it could be used as a brooch,” the expert explained. “The first grave clasp likely came from a Bible in England or Ireland. It was ripped off and brought back to Norway, where it was eventually made into a women's brooch.”
Most of the fragments were found in the first grave because it was likely plundered shortly after burial, Dinhoff said.
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The excavations also uncovered gemstone beads dating back to before 850 AD. (Soren Dinhoff/University of Bergen)
“There is a suspicion that the first tombs were opened a long time ago. It is even possible that they were opened in the Viking Age,” he explained, adding that in the Viking Age, tomb looting was “not uncommon. ”, adding that it probably could have been. It is done to steal valuables or dishonor the deceased.
“The finds were spread out in fragments over and around the tomb,” Dinhoff explained. “Although the jewelry was shattered, the destruction was clearly not due to erosion. The fracture surface indicates that the artifacts were deliberately destroyed, perhaps when the tomb was reopened. It is likely that it was destroyed.”
But the real treasure was discovered in the second tomb, which contained a variety of valuable artifacts, from textile production tools to fine jewelry and coins.
“These tools show that the burial masters had skills, but they further indicate that the buried women were leaders in textile production on their farms. High-quality textile production is renowned for its and was an important economic income,” the report said. “The bronze key found in the tomb symbolizes the central position of this woman. She was the bearer of the house keys and therefore the leader of the farmers.” [What is] Perhaps the frying pan in the tomb indicates the same thing. ”
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“A pearl necklace was found near the brooch,” the research report added. “It consisted of 46 glass beads of various European and Scandinavian origins, and between the pearls were placed 11 silver coins.”
One coin was minted in Jutland between 832 and 840 AD, while the other coins were from the Franks and produced during the reign of Charlemagne's son Louis the Pious. Louis died in 840 AD
The results of the excavation included a valuable brooch (left) and a pin (right) once used as a clasp for a Bible. (Soren Dinhoff/University of Bergen)
Overall, Dinhoff said trade between Anglo-Saxons and Vikings was not uncommon, but not all “trade” was necessarily voluntary. He believes that the coins in the second grave were traded and that the book clasp was stolen during the raid.
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In total, archaeologists were able to completely excavate two of the woman's graves and analyze a third tomb, which was not fully excavated but contained a gold-plated brooch and 25 glass beads. It's done. Historians also believe that those who died may have been members of the same Viking clan.
Dinhof pointed out that there are at least 20 graves at the site and there is an urgency regarding the excavation of other graves.
“We are concerned that they will eventually be destroyed,” the Viking expert said. “They are found right under the lawn and there are many ways to ruin them…We hope to be able to unearth some graves each year.”
Dinhoff also thanked the metal detector that discovered the scene.
Archaeologists believe there are many more graves at this site. (Soren Dinhoff/University of Bergen)
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“If they hadn't first 'discovered' the site, we would never have known about it,” the archaeologist said. “The grave we found was just under the grass, so it was very exposed and may have been lost over time. Now we have the opportunity to excavate this small graveyard. .”
