Archaeologists in Trøndelag County, Norway, have uncovered a remarkable Viking Age burial on private land—an exciting find that came to light thanks to a metal detectorist. After spotting an oval brooch in the soil, the hobbyist alerted professionals, setting in motion a detailed archaeological investigation.
A Glimpse Into a Ninth-Century Life
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology examined the site and dated the grave to the ninth century A.D. Their conclusion is based on the style of the woman’s clothing accessories, which offer valuable clues about her identity and social standing.
Bowl buckle
Raymond Sauvage, NTNU Science Museum
The woman was buried wearing a traditional Viking outfit.
Her outer dress was secured at the shoulders with two distinct oval brooches.
A small ring brooch fastened the neckline of her inner dress.
According to the research team, these types of brooches typically belonged to married free women, often women who managed or owned farms. This suggests she may have held a respected position within her household and community.
Objects Buried With Her
Additional items discovered in the grave include a bowl-shaped buckle and the bones of a bird, both commonly found in Viking burials. However, one feature stood out from all known pre-Christian graves in Norway.
A Mysterious and Unique Burial Practice
The most intriguing aspect of the burial was the placement of two scallop shells near the woman’s mouth. This detail surprised archaeologists, as this practice has never before been recorded in Viking graves from the period.
The shells may have been part of a larger object or held symbolic meaning, though researchers have not yet determined their exact purpose. Further analysis may uncover whether they were attached to another artifact.
While the true meaning behind the shells remains uncertain, archaeologists believe they were intentionally chosen to convey a message to those attending the burial—one that is now lost to time.
