In the heart of the rugged landscape of Hardangervidda, a vast mountainous plateau in Norway, a group of archaeologists, on foot and carrying tools, have retraced the steps of ancient travelers by exploring a historic route known as Nordmannsslepa. This investigation is part of a broader project on food culture in the Middle Ages, led […]
Norway
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
The Lost Shipyards of the Nordic Bronze Age, an Enigma Hidden in Plain Sight
The Nordic Bronze Age, marked by its iconic imagery of ships carved into rocks and metal objects scattered throughout Scandinavia, has always left an unsolved enigma for archaeologists: where were these ships built? Despite the abundance of ship representations in the region’s archaeology, direct evidence of prehistoric shipyards has been extremely scarce. Now a new […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
The Vikings were passionate about tapestries decorated with historical scenes, and we will soon find out which ones were their favorites
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 […]
Posted inGeography
Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world with a permanent population, where carrying a rifle is mandatory when leaving
In the Svalbard archipelago, at 78 degrees north latitude, lies Longyearbyen, the northernmost city in the world with a permanent population. This Norwegian settlement, founded in 1906 by American businessman John Munroe Longyear as a mining town, has evolved over more than a century to become a fascinating microcosm of human life in the Arctic. […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
The Norwegian Vikings Possessed an Abundant and Disproportionate Number of Swords
A recent study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology reveals that Norwegian Viking society was significantly more violent than that of Denmark. This finding is based on a detailed analysis of skeletal traumas, weapons, and archaeological evidence reflecting the social and political dynamics of these ancient Scandinavian peoples. The study offers an innovative perspective […]
Posted inBronze Age Archaeology
30 Circular Stone Tombs of Children from 2800 Years Ago Found in Norway Are a Unique Discovery in Europe
In December 2023, archaeologists from the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo discovered an unknown burial site in a quarry near Fredrikstad, in southeastern Norway. This find has revealed an astonishing set of more than 30 tombs, most of them belonging to babies, buried over 2000 years ago. The team of archaeologists, led by Guro […]
Posted inMiddle Ages
Kristina, the Medieval Norwegian Princess Whose Remains Were Found in 1958 in a Collegiate Church in Burgos, Spain
It was common for kings throughout the centuries to forge alliances and diplomatic relationships through marriage policies. In the history of Spain, there are numerous examples of queens consort from various parts of Europe, primarily from Portugal, France, England, Austria, and Italy. Sometimes they came from less frequent places, like Greece or the one we […]
Posted inStone Age Archaeology
Look of 4000-year-old Norwegian Hunter-Gatherer whose Remains were Found on Hitra Island, Reconstructed
In 1916, construction workers in Norway made an unexpected discovery while building a road on Hitra Island. Amidst the sand and rocks, they uncovered human remains belonging to a 25-year-old man from the Stone Age, estimated to be 4,000 years old. Since then, these remains have been a subject of study at the NTNU University […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Archaeologists may have Found a Viking-Era Market in a Norwegian Farmhouse
Klosterøy, a picturesque island in southwest Norway, boasts a treasure trove of cultural history. Among its notable landmarks is Norway’s best-preserved medieval monastery, drawing visitors to explore its ancient allure. In September 2023, archaeologists embarked on groundbreaking ground-penetrating radar surveys, unveiling promising results that fueled excitement among researchers. Their discoveries hinted at a potentially significant […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Rare Byzantine gold coin found in Norway, probably brought from Constantinople by Harald Hardrada
A metal detectorist discovered in the county of Innlandet, in inland Norway, a rare histamenon nomisma (literally standard coin), a Byzantine solid gold coin, minted in Constantinople around the year 960 AD. The coin was found in the mountains of Vestre Slidre municipality and has been exceptionally well-preserved given its appearance, as it looks practically […]