Viking Age Burial Ground Uncovered in Sweden!
Archaeologists have unearthed a significant Viking Age burial ground during investigations of a prehistoric settlement near Varberg, Halland County, Sweden.
So far, only six percent of the site has been excavated, as much of the burial ground lies beneath modern infrastructure. Despite the limited dig, researchers have uncovered 139 graves containing human and animal remains, clay pots, jewellery, and even evidence of ship burials.
The burial site is situated on a ridge close to ancient trade routes, with the Tvååkersån River nearby and an old road, known as the Järnbärarvägen, cutting through the area. Centuries of farming have damaged much of the site, with the land being ploughed and levelled for agriculture.
Photo Credit: Arkeologerna
Petra Nordin from Arkeologerna explained that over time, most of the burial superstructures have been destroyed, and the graves were disturbed by ploughing, causing the remains to scatter. Nevertheless, archaeologists have identified areas where funeral pyres once burned, and they’ve found traces of a 50-metre-long ship, the remains of three ship burials, and a mound in the shape of a vessel.
The graves vary in their contents. Some have dogs buried in round fire pits, while human remains were generally found in oblong pits. “The dog was a companion, joining the human on the pyre,” Nordin said.
One intriguing find is a square burial with three large fire pits. This grave contained 17 vessels, human and animal bones, weaving weights, and iron arrowheads. It’s believed to have been a cremation site where pyres were built above ground.
Numerous artefacts have been uncovered, including buckles such as fibulae, clasp buckles, ceramics, gold pendants, and a fragment of an Arab silver coin dating back to AD 795-806. The discovery of animal bones from birds, dogs, cattle, and pigs, alongside human remains, suggests these animals were likely sacrificed as part of funerary rituals.
Archaeologists believe the concentration of burials points to a significant Viking Age settlement nearby, with theories suggesting it may be linked to a trading post at Gamla Köpstad or Galtabäck harbour.