Science

Norway DISCOVERY: Buried ancient Viking ship found in astonished archaeologists


Archaeologists believe they have pinpointed the rare Viking ship burial site in Vestfold county, Norway. The region is known for its Viking-era treasures and the latest discovery was found as experts used ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Scientists revealed a ship-shaped anomaly near other Viking burial mounds at the Midgard Viking Centre in Borrepark.

Terje Gansum, leader of the department for cultural heritage management in Vestfold county, said in a statement: “The GPR data clearly show the shape of a ship, and we can see weak traces of a circular depression around the vessel.

“This could point to the existence of a mound that was later removed.”

He said researchers would carry out further investigations to try and assess the size of the preserved find.

The definition of a Viking ship is that the vessel is fifteen meters or longer while those measured under this length are defined as boats.

The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Ola Elvestuen called it “a historic day” after the burial site was revealed.

He said: “A discovery like this has a tremendous impact on how to tell our nation’s story.

“This is unique in Norwegian history as well as internationally.

“It is a great day for Vestfold, but also for Norway and the place we have in the world.”

During the Viking Age, Norse seafarers raided and traded from their Northern European homelands across wide areas of Europe.

High-ranking officials were sometimes buried in a ship on land, along with decorative goods and even oxen or horse remains, then covered with a mound of dirt.

The area where the Viking ship burial site was discovered is now protected.

The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage are currently attempting to decide what to do next.

Mr Gansum said: “How much is preserved under ground is not yet possible to answer.

“We will now investigate the discovery with several non-invasive methods and repeat the use of GPR.”

There are currently seven Viking ship burial sites registered around Europe.

They all date back to the Viking Age (800-1050 AD) and three of the seven sites are located in Vestfold, where the new discovery was made.



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