One of about 50 Viking graves uncovered at Åsum. Archaeologists believe the burial site dates back to the 900s, a time when most people in Denmark still followed the Old Norse gods. Live Science
A remarkable Viking burial site has been discovered in Denmark, revealing nearly complete skeletons of around 50 individuals. This significant find occurred near the village of Åsum on Funen Island during the installation of electrical cables over the past six months. Archaeologists from Museum Odense led the excavation, highlighting the exceptional nature of this discovery.
Uncovering human remains from the Viking Age, which spans from A.D. 793 to 1066, is a rare occurrence. This rarity is largely due to the acidic Scandinavian soil that typically does not preserve bones well. Therefore, finding 50 burials from this period is an extraordinary achievement, offering a unique glimpse into Viking life and burial practices.
Michael Borre Lundø, an archaeologist involved in the excavation and a curator at Museum Odense, emphasized the uniqueness of the site. “It is really unusual to find so many well-preserved skeletons at the same time as those found in Åsum,” he stated. Lundø explained that this discovery provides an exceptional opportunity for extensive scientific analysis. Researchers hope to learn more about the health, diet, and origins of the individuals buried there. Additionally, there is potential to determine if the buried Vikings were related, a question that has not been explored in similar grave sites before.
The graves date back to the 900s, a period when King Gorm the Old and Queen Thyra ruled from the nearby Jutland town of Jelling. While historians debate the exact extent of Gorm’s rule, it is widely accepted that Funen was a central part of his kingdom. The findings at Åsum underscore the region's importance during the Viking Age.
Among the many graves, several belonged to individuals of high status, as indicated by the valuable items buried with them. One particularly notable grave contained a woman interred in a rare Viking wagon. She was accompanied by a beautiful glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a small shard of glass that may have been used as an amulet. Another grave included a finely decorated wooden chest, although its contents remain unknown.
Other graves featured intricate bronze ornaments, such as a three-lobed buckle, along with red glass beads, iron knives, and pieces of rock crystal. The presence of rock crystal, which does not naturally occur in Denmark, suggests that these Vikings were part of international trade networks, likely importing materials from places like Norway.
The discovery was first made earlier this year during the cable installation process and was later published by the American Astronomical Society. While some of the artifacts indicate connections beyond Denmark, the exact origins of the individuals buried at Åsum are still being studied. The wealth of items found in the graves points to a community that was both prosperous and well-connected during the Viking Age.
This archaeological find not only sheds light on the burial practices and social structures of Vikings but also highlights the advancements in survey capabilities that allow such discoveries. With the ability to detect small and well-preserved remains, archaeologists can continue to uncover more about the Viking era, offering deeper insights into their way of life and their interactions with the wider world.
