Archaeologists in Denmark have made a remarkable discovery at a Viking Age burial site near the village of Åsum on the island of Funen. The Museum Odense spent the last six months excavating the site, uncovering 50 “almost intact” human bodies from the late 700s to late 900s. The find is considered rare and unusual due to the acidity of Scandinavian soil, which typically erodes human bones, making it difficult to find well-preserved remains from this era.
According to Michael Borre Lundø, a curator with the museum and an archaeologist involved in the excavation, the discovery of so many well-preserved skeletons at the Åsum site is extraordinary. This find offers a unique opportunity for scientific analysis that could provide insights into the general health, diet, and origins of those buried. The museum’s team believes that the individuals buried at Åsum were wealthy, based on the burial tokens found in their coffins.
One of the most intriguing burials at the site was that of a female Viking who was buried in a wagon she likely traveled in. The woman was adorned with a beautiful glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a small shard of glass that may have served as an amulet. Additionally, she was interred with a small, bejeweled wooden crate that has yet to be opened. Another grave contained a brass dress buckle and a small piece of rock crystal, not typically found in the region. Borre Lundø explained that the rock crystal was likely imported from Norway, indicating connections to international trade networks that thrived during the Viking Age.
Further analyses are ongoing, with the hope of uncovering whether the buried Vikings were related—a significant question that has not been explored in similar graves before. The findings at the Åsum site provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives and customs of Vikings in Denmark during this historical period.
In conclusion, the discovery of the Viking Age burial site at Åsum in Denmark is a significant archaeological find that sheds light on the customs, wealth, and connections to international trade networks of the Vikings in the region. The well-preserved remains offer a rare opportunity for scientific analysis that may reveal more about the individuals buried at the site.
FAQs:
1. What makes the Viking Age burial site at Åsum in Denmark rare and unusual?
The acidity of the Scandinavian soil typically erodes human bones, making it challenging to find well-preserved remains from this era. The discovery of 50 “almost intact” human bodies at the Åsum site is considered remarkable.
2. What items were found in the burial of the female Viking at Åsum?
The female Viking was buried in a wagon she likely traveled in, adorned with a glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a shard of glass that may have served as an amulet. She was also interred with a wooden crate, a brass dress buckle, and a piece of rock crystal likely imported from Norway.
3. What further analyses are being conducted at the Åsum site?
The museum’s team is conducting analyses that may reveal whether the buried Vikings were related, which would be a significant discovery. This aspect has not been explored in similar Viking Age graves before.
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