3 days ago
Archaeologists Unearth Extremely Rare Viking Burial
Archaeologists in Norway have unearthed the Viking burial of a high-status woman who was buried with her dog in a boat, Science in Norway reported.
The grave was first excavated in 2022 after its discovery by metal detectorists. On top of the tomb was an assortment of jewelry closely associated with Viking women. As scientists dug deeper, they discovered an 18-foot-long boat made of joint wooden planks, which contained the body of a woman and her dog. Around her body were items which researchers believe nodded to her status in the community and a rich domestic life, such as a ring-shaped pendant, a weaving sword carved from whale bone, bone and amber beads, a spindle whorl, a whetstone, and an iron sickle. The latter objects, scientists say, indicate the woman had a hand in textile production during her life.
"Only the elite would receive a burial like this,' said lead archaeologist Anja Roth Nemi. 'Perhaps only one or two individuals per generation were honored this way.' The small dog, situated at the woman's feet, 'appears to have been placed with real care,' she explained. 'We know from saga literature that Vikings valued their dogs deeply. This suggests a personal bond that transcended death."
Some textiles were also recovered within the skeleton of the boat, which remained terrifically well-preserved, as did the woman's body and that of her dog. The soil and sand of northern Norway are particularly rich in lime, which, in addition to the country's chilly climate, helped preserve the remarkable find for more than 1,000 years after the burial.
Niemi and her colleagues will continue to analyze the woman's remains to determine her exact age at the time of death, as well as her diet and any possible ailments. "It's a humbling experience," Niemi said. "We get very close to those who lived long ago. This woman walked the Earth over a thousand years ago, and yet here she is, telling us her story."Archaeologists Unearth Extremely Rare Viking Burial first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2025
