The excavation of a large cemetery from the Viking era in Denmark unearthed 50 very well-preserved skeletons . Archaeologists hope the discovery will help provide insights into the lives of the Norse people known for their maritime conquests in the Middle Ages.
Discovered near Denmark’s third-largest city, Odense, the skeletons were intact because high water levels and favorable soil conditions prevented them from decomposing, explained Michael Borre Lundoe, excavation leader at the Odense Museum.
“Normally, when we excavate Viking graves, we would be lucky if there were two teeth left in the grave in addition to the goods found in the grave. But here we have the skeletons completely preserved,” said Lundoe.
“The skeletons are incredible. They are so well preserved. There are five fingers on the hands and five on the feet. And this opens up new possibilities for discoveries”, he added.
Rare artifacts like knives , glass pearls and brooches dating from the years 850 to 970 were also found in the excavation, which began six months ago.
Lundoe said items found in the graves indicate that most of the people were part of a small community of farmers although a woman of higher status was buried with a silver knife and a piece of glass something rare in the Viking Age. Archaeologists collected soil samples for pollen to determine which season the person was buried and what fabrics they wore.
An x-ray of the soil at the site revealed an oval brooch, a Viking Age piece of jewelry associated with women’s clothing, covered with wood and human remains.
Most of the skeletons were removed from the tombs and packed in cardboard boxes at the museum to dry before examination and final cleaning.
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This content was originally published in Danish archaeologists unearth 50 skeletons in Viking cemetery on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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