Burial site from Viking era containing elite family treasures discovered in Denmark

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Archaeologists recently found an artifact-filled Viking-era burial site in Denmark — revealing treasures that once belonged to an elite family.

The discovery was announced by Moesgaard Museum (MOMU), a regional Danish museum, in a June statement. 

The graveyard was found in the village of Lisbjerg, located north of the major Danish city of Aarhus.

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Archaeologists found 30 graves containing a vast number of burial gifts, including beads and coins. 

Ceramics were also found at the site, along with gold thread, scissors and “an unusual casket with beads,” officials said.

Split image of aerial of dig site, hand holding coin

Archaeologists recently uncovered a Viking-era burial site in Denmark with 30 graves containing treasures like beads and coins. (JAMES BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

The site also retained the bones and teeth of the deceased.

In a statement translated from Danish to English, officials noted the graves “contain a number of spectacular items that may indicate connections to the Danish royal power.”

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They added, “Aarhus was one of Denmark’s most important and oldest cities during the Viking era, serving as a center for the king and international trade … Aros and Lisbjerg were closely connected by the old main road, which ran from the Viking city to the manor.”

Archaeologist digging through dirt at site

Archaeologists also uncovered coins at the site, which they carefully extracted from the ground. (JAMES BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

One discovery of particular interest was a silver-plated oak casket that likely belonged to a high-status woman. 

“Together, [the finds] paint a picture of an aristocratic environment linked to royal power, which was part of the Vikings’ extensive and dynamic world.”

The grave contained a brooch, needle and a filigree bead, made by twisting fine threads of metal into ornate designs.

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Mads Ravn, head of local cultural heritage at MOMU, said the grave site is “very likely” connected to a Viking-era manor less than a mile away.

He noted, “The items we have found in the graves tell us that those buried were people of high status – it could be the very family from the manor that is buried here.”

Archaeologist holding bowl

One of the site’s many artifacts included a Viking-era ceramic bowl, which was left as a grave offering. (JAMES BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Kasper H. Andersen, a historian at MOMU, said the recent finds are “part of a series of previous remarkable discoveries in the Aarhus area.”

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He added, “Together, they paint a picture of an aristocratic environment linked to royal power, which was part of the Vikings’ extensive and dynamic world.”

The Viking Age lasted from roughly 800 A.D. to 1050 A.D.

Aerial of archaeological site

A historian said the recent finds are “part of a series of previous remarkable discoveries in the Aarhus area.” (JAMES BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Artifacts from that era continue to be discovered throughout Europe by archaeologists and hobbyists alike.

In April, Swedish archaeologists announced the discovery of an “unusual” Viking-era coffin.

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Before that, two curious metal detectorists found a 1,000-year-old Viking “wallet” last year.



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