Archeologists in central Denmark have unearthed a significant Viking Age burial ground containing over 50 exceptionally well-preserved skeletons, offering a unique window into the lives and times of these historical figures, The Associated Press reports.
The discovery, made during a routine survey ahead of power line renovations near the village of Aasum, could provide crucial insights into Viking social patterns, trade routes, and daily life.
Experts from Museum Odense attribute the exceptional preservation of the skeletons to the favorable soil chemistry, particularly the presence of chalk and high water levels. The burial ground, spanning an area of 2,000 square meters, holds the remains of men, women, and children, alongside a few cremated bodies.
While the Vikings unearthed at Aasum are not believed to be warriors, archeologist Borre Lundø suggests the site was likely a “standard settlement,” perhaps a farming community located near a ring fortress in what is now central Odense.
The artifacts recovered from the site, including items from far beyond Denmark’s borders, highlight the extensive trade networks established during the Viking Age (793-1066 A.D.). Archeologists plan to conduct DNA analysis and reconstruct detailed life histories, shedding light on kinship, migration patterns, and social structures within the Viking community.
The dig, which began in April, concluded on Friday. The collected artifacts are now being transported to Museum Odense’s preservation labs for cleaning and analysis.
