Extraordinary Viking Age Discovery in Denmark Reveals Over 50 Well-Preserved Skeletons and Rich Artifacts
Archaeologists from Museum Odense have unearthed a rare and significant Viking Age burial ground in the village of Åsum on the island of Funen, Denmark. The site, discovered during preparations for laying electrical cables, includes the skeletons of over 50 people, dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, a period when the Danish King Gorm "the Old" and Queen Thyra ruled. This find is exceptional due to the typically poor preservation of human remains in acidic Scandinavian soils.
Michael Borre Lundø, an archaeologist and curator from Museum Odense, noted the unique preservation conditions at the Åsum site, which helped keep the bones intact. Chalk in the ground and natural underground water sources contributed to slowing down the decomposition process. This rare preservation enables scientists to perform extensive analyses to gain insights into the Vikings' general health, diet, origins, and even possible familial relationships, which have not been previously examined to this extent in similar graves.
One of the most noteworthy discoveries is the grave of a wealthy woman buried in a Viking wagon, complete with an iron key, knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a beautiful glass bead necklace. Her grave also contained a finely decorated wooden chest and a small glass shard possibly used as an amulet. Another grave revealed a three-lobed bronze buckle, a red glass bead necklace, an iron knife, and a rare piece of rock crystal likely imported from Norway, indicating the Vikings' extensive trade networks.
These findings underscore Åsum's historical significance and its role as a key location in early urban developments leading to modern-day Odense, Denmark’s third largest city. The site continues to be excavated, with the skeletons and artifacts currently housed in a museum awaiting further examination. Scientists will especially focus on extracting DNA to uncover more details about the individuals buried there, including their ages, sex, diseases, and potential familial links, expanding the understanding of Viking life and culture.
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