So far, archaeologists have uncovered 139 graves with the remains of both humans and animals, a trove of artifacts, and even evidence of several ship burials.
ArkeologernaThe earliest graves at the site date to around the late eighth century C.E.
While investigating a Stone Age settlement just outside of Varberg, Sweden, archaeologists serendipitously discovered a massive Viking-Age burial ground rife with artifacts. So far, just six percent of the site has been excavated, but researchers have already revealed 139 graves holding both human and animal remains, clay pots, and even evidence of ship burials.
The initial examination of the site began back in May 2017, when the local government announced plans to build a roundabout and install new water pipes. Officials wanted to ensure any Stone Age artifacts weren’t damaged by the construction — but they soon realized that there was much more beneath the surface than they expected to find.
Discovering The Massive Viking-Age Burial Site In Sweden
ArkeologernaResearcher Anders Kjellin looks out at the nearby Tvååkersån River.
When archaeologists from Arkeologerna first arrived at the site near Varberg in 2017, they made some initial discoveries of flint and a furnace, but it became evident within the first year that the area had more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
“We had found five graves with bone remains and fire layers,” said archaeologist Petra Nordin. “The bones were from dogs and humans. Then we realized that here was a large Viking burial ground that we had to focus on.”
Suddenly, what began as a fairly standard preliminary investigation of a Stone Age settlement became a years-long process of excavating a large Viking burial ground. The cemetery is located on a flat ridge along the path of two important ancient trade routes: the Tvååkersån River and an old road known as Järnbäravägen. However, much of the site has been damaged over the years due to farming.
ArkeologernaA gilded bird pendant recovered from a grave.
“The problem is that the ground has been plowed down and leveled to cultivate and create pastures, so all the superstructures have disappeared and the graves have been plowed to pieces,” Nordin said. “We have had to interpret everything from below because it was so torn apart. But we have investigated where the bonfires are and, among other things, found what we interpreted as a 50-meter-long [160-foot-long] shipwreck up on the ridge.”
The research team has also discovered the impressions of three ship burials in addition to a ship-shaped mound. By Nordin’s estimation, much of the cemetery is still buried under modern construction, and the team has only excavated roughly six percent of the total site.
The Artifacts And Remains Found Within The Graves
ArkeologernaA Viking-Age buckle found at the site depicting a horse biting its own tail.
In addition to the ship burials, archaeologists excavated 139 graves. Human remains were found in oblong fire pits, but some of the burials also held the bones of dogs in round pits. According to Nordin, “The dog was a companion and accompanied the human on the pyre.”
One of the most fascinating discoveries so far was a square burial with three large fire pits that held 17 vessels, human and animal bones, and iron arrowheads that experts believe was a cremation site. Researchers have also found bones from birds, cattle, and pigs alongside the human remains, suggesting the animals were placed on graves as funerary sacrifices.
“Looking for bones and finding pits where the raised stones may have stood or bottoms of mounds where superstructure is missing, it’s exciting, but incredibly difficult,” said archaeologist Anders Kjellin. “Sometimes we have gone with a metal detector and found objects in a place that allow us to say that this is probably actually a grave.”
ArkeologernaA fragment of pottery dating back to the Viking Age.
Given how massive the site is, archaeologists believe there was once a substantial Viking-Age settlement in the vicinity, but the nature of the excavation has made it difficult to paint a clear picture of the site’s history.
“There has been talk, among other things, that there may have been a Viking-era trading post at Gamla Köpstad south of Varberg,” said Nordin. “Or at Galtabäck Harbour. Is the village at the mouth of Tvååker or is it near the burial ground? We don’t know. But it is exciting to see what will emerge in the future.”
After reading about the discovery of this massive Viking burial site, learn all about Viking berserkers and why they were some of history’s most feared warriors. Then, read about Leif Erikson, the Viking explorer who reached North America well before Columbus.
