Among significant viking archaeological discoveries is the Oseberg ship, one of the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, measuring 22 meters in length and 5 meters in width. This impressive vessel was discovered within one of the most famous ship burial sites from the Viking Age, known for being the most richly equipped grave from this period in Europe.
Upon excavation, although much of the ship and its burial goods had been crushed and broken into fragments, the remains of two women were found alongside their grave goods, which included carts, looms, cooking utensils, and chests containing textile fragments.
Notably, over 80 fragments of one or more tapestries were unearthed during the 1904 excavation in Tønsberg, suggesting a rich cultural practice of textile artistry among the Vikings. These tapestries are believed to have been composed of wool mixed with plant fibers, showcasing depictions of both male and female warriors engaged in ceremonial religious acts.
Current research aims to reconstruct these tapestries, using imaging techniques and analytical methods to reinterpret the motifs depicted within. A multidisciplinary team of researchers, supported by the Norwegian Research Council through the TexRec project, is investigating dye degradation and the original colors used in these textiles to provide insight into their production and intended use.
It is likely that the tapestries served as decorative items in high-status environments such as bedrooms, funerary chambers, or during festive occasions. Their presence in the Oseberg burial indicates that the two women were affluent individuals who may have needed these tapestries in the afterlife.
Assembling the complete tapestry designs from the fragmented pieces involves meticulous work. The fragility of the pieces requires innovative approaches; for example, researchers are developing software that allows images of fabric fragments to be digitally manipulated.
As Davit Gigilashvili, a postdoctoral fellow at NTNU in Gjøvik, notes, We are developing software where photographs can be uploaded, and then pieces can be digitally moved… We can also enhance the contrast of the images to make patterns more visible to the human eye. Gigilashvili describes this work as an adventure, emphasizing its significance given the lack of existing knowledge about the original tapestry designs.
However, unlike conventional jigsaw puzzles, this archaeological endeavor is complicated by the unknowns surrounding the number of tapestries from the Oseberg ship, the degradation of colors, and the damage incurred during burial. No guarantees exist that fragments compared together belong to the same textile, adding complexity to the reconstruction effort.
To address these challenges, researchers are using artificial intelligence to help identify and piece together fragments based on digital images. While AI has been trained to recognize various modern objects, it lacks exposure to Viking Age textiles, resulting in occasional inaccuracies. Thus, close collaboration between archaeologists and computer scientists is essential, with archaeologists providing insight and contextual knowledge that inform the accuracy of the digital reconstructions.
Giglashvili and his colleagues argue in their research that substantial datasets of images are crucial for effectively training these models. However, the unique nature of these textiles means collaboration remains essential. Archaeologists can detect similarities in style and manufacturing techniques, Gigilashvili explains, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human expertise in this collaborative process.
Reconstructing these ancient tapestries has the potential to yield significant insights into Viking life. Beyond assisting archaeologists, the developed software could also find applications in educational contexts and the gaming industry, enriching the understanding of cultural heritage from the Viking Age.
As research progresses, the lost stories of the Vikings, depicted through these intricate textiles, may soon be uncovered.
SOURCES
Davit Gigilashvili, Casper Fabian Gulbrandsen, et al., Toward Solving a Puzzle of Fragmented Archeological Textiles in Journal of Imaging Science and Technology, 2024, pp 1 – 16, doi.org/10.2352/J.ImagingSci.Technol.2007
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