COPENHAGEN, 27th September, 2024 (WAM) -- The excavation of a large Viking-era burial site in Denmark has unearthed 50 unusually well-preserved skeletons, Reuters reported on Friday. Archaeologists expect these skeletons will help shed light on the lives of the Nordic people best known for their seafaring exploits in the Middle Ages.
The skeletons, discovered near Denmark's third-largest city Odense, were kept intact by high water levels and favourable soil conditions that prevented them from decomposing, according to Michael Borre Lundoe, the excavation leader from Museum Odense.
"Normally when we excavate Viking graves, we'd be lucky if there were two teeth left in the grave besides the grave goods. But here we have the skeletons fully preserved," said Lundoe.
"The skeletons are so amazing. They are so well preserved. There are five fingers, five toes. And that opens up a whole new set of possibilities for discoveries," he said.
Rare artifacts such as knives, glass pearls and brooches dated between year 850 to 970 were also found at the excavation, which began six months ago.
Lundoe said the grave gifts indicate most of the people were part of a small community of farmers, although a woman of higher status was buried with a silver-ornamented knife and a piece of glass which was rare in the Viking Age.
Most of the skeletons have been removed from the graves and packed in cardboard boxes at the museum to dry out before the examination and final cleaning.
According to the National Museum of Denmark, the Viking Age – the period from 800 until 1050 AD – was characterised by sea travel and expeditions to foreign territories. Denmark was named for the first time around 965 AD. At the end of the Viking Age Denmark’s king also ruled over England and Norway during certain periods.