Danish Archaeologists Unearthed More Than 50 Viking Skeletons Near Åsum
Museum OdenseOne of the Viking skeletons found during the Åsum excavations.
Over the course of six months in 2024, archaeologists from Museum Odense unearthed over 50 well-preserved Viking skeletons from a burial ground in Åsum, Denmark, which is located near Odense.
The graves, dating back to the ninth and 10th centuries, provided valuable clues about Viking life. Some of the bodies were buried in coffins, while others were wrapped in cloth. In addition, burnt bones were found, which were possibly from sacrificed enslaved people or animals.
Among the significant discoveries was a woman buried in a wagon, along with a glass-beaded necklace, an iron key, a knife, and a wooden box.
Museum OdenseA three-lobed bronze brooch found alongside the remains.
Several of the buried Vikings were likely of high status, as indicated by grave goods like brooches, knives, and imported items, such as rock crystal that was likely imported from Norway. These findings suggest Åsum was connected to international trade networks during the Viking Age.
The excellent preservation of the skeletons will also likely allow researchers to conduct DNA analyses, which could reveal much more about the remains.
Researchers Finally Identified The Mystery Item Buried With Ancient Chinese Mummies
Wenying Li/Xinjiang Cultural Relics and Archaeology InstituteA cheese-decorated mummy, which was first discovered in the Xiaohe Cemetery in the Tarim Basin in 2003.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers finally solved the mystery of the strange chunks that were buried with a group of Bronze Age mummies. The mummies in question were originally found over 20 years ago in China’s Xinjiang region — and one female mummy was 3,600 years old.
DNA analysis revealed that the mysterious chunks — which had been arranged around the necks of at least three mummies — were actually the world’s oldest known cheese. Specifically, it was kefir cheese.
Yimin YangThe chunks of kefir cheese were once soft, but are now described as “really dry, dense, and hard dust.”
This find gave researchers a rare chance to study ancient dairy products and trace the lineage of bacteria and yeast used in early cheese-making. They found that the cheese was made from cow milk and goat milk, and bacteria and yeast were used to coagulate the milk into kefir grains. This process reduced lactose content, making it digestible for the lactose-intolerant Xiaohe population, who lived in the region at the time.
The presence of goat DNA suggested a connection between the Xiaohe people and the Eurasian steppe, indicating cultural exchanges in cheese-making practices. But while experts have uncovered the origins of the cheese, they still don’t know why the Xiaohe buried it with the dead.
A Stone Tablet Found In Spain Was Linked To The “Lost” Civilization Of Tartessos
E. Rodríguez/M. Luque/CSICThe stone tablet featured battle scenes and a sequence of letters.
While excavating the Casas del Turuñuelo site in Spain, researchers uncovered a broken stone tablet dating back to between 600 and 400 B.C.E. Incredibly, this tablet was created by the “lost” ancient Tartessos civilization.
The tablet, about eight inches long, features engraved battle scenes. Initially, the engravings were hard to see due to the soil’s humidity. But once the artifact was dried and cleaned, the battle scenes became much clearer.
Guareña City CouncilMembers of the research team behind the unearthing of the stone tablet. The team included experts from the Institute of Archeology of Mérida, the Higher Council for Scientific Research, and the Government of Extremadura.
The tablet also contains “a sequence of 21 signs,” thought to belong to an “alphabet of a southern Paleo-Hispanic script.” Researchers believe it could represent the third southern Paleo-Hispanic alphabet ever discovered. Although some of the script is missing, it offers a rare glimpse into the Tartessos civilization, known for its immense wealth in ancient times.
Centuries ago, the tablet may have been used as a goldsmith’s slate, aiding craftsmen in designing gold, ivory, or wood pieces.
Though many questions remain about the priceless artifact, the discovery marked a key step in unraveling the mystery surrounding the Tartessos people, who seemingly vanished in the sixth century B.C.E.
