The beads, coins, ceramics and a box of gold thread, objects described as “spectacular” by experts, were accidentally discovered during construction works near Lisbjerg, a village located seven kilometers north of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark.
The site contains about 30 pagan tombs dating from the second half of the tenth century until the time of King Harald Bluetooth, “notes.
According to archaeologist Mads Ravn, one of the directors of the museum, the tombs are most likely related to a noble family from the Viking era (between the eighth and 11th centuries), whose farm was discovered less than a kilometer by the funeral site at the end of the 1980s.
“It could be one of Harald ‘Blue tooth’ connections or administrators,” Ravn explained for AFP, mentioning that the sovereign who introduced Christianity in today’s Denmark has entrusted the nobles to administer certain regions.
In addition to the funeral objects, the researchers also discovered some human remains, such as teeth and bones.
“In the grave, people were practically taking what was important to them, because they wanted to transfer the thing into the afterlife,” the archaeologist added.
One of the graves, about which scientists believe it belonged to an important woman, contained a box full of decorative objects and a scissors.
The box, described as “magnificent”, is a remarkable discovery; Only a few were found, one of them in southeast of Germany. “It is very rare; there are only three,” said Ravn.
The excavations in Lisbjerg are about to end this week, and the experts will then begin a thorough scientific analysis of objects. Wood, in particular, should help the precise dating of the funeral site.
Aarhus, a royal and commercial center, was one of the most important cities in Denmark during the Viking time. A road tied the farm in the city Lisbjerg.
