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The skeletons that archaeologists have now found amidst the Viking ship at the Jellestad site in Halden will now be painstakingly lifted and excavated in a safe indoor environment.
In all likelihood, the skeleton among the large animals on either side is the Viking, which was the center of the burial ceremony that took place perhaps 1,300 years ago.
The skeleton in the burial chamber
– On both sides of what we assume is the burial chamber, there are skeletal remains. Long bones are what we assume to be horses or cattle, says project director and archaeologist at the Museum of Cultural History, Christian Løchsen Rødsrud.
Among the large animals, in the burial chamber itself just above the keel, there is a small skeleton. It is most likely the main character himself.
-It could be the remains of a human, yes, but if it is the chief or the queen, we still cannot answer, says the archaeologist.
The oldest of all
Archaeologists have found no remains of any mast construction on the ship. This means that the ship can be completely unique compared to previous Viking ship finds.
– Everything indicates that it is a rowing boat (not sailing, editor’s note) and therefore viewed differently from the boats now in the Bygdøy museum, explains Rødsrud. The ships from Oseberg, Gokstad and Thune were sailing.
Found pearl collection
This may mean that the discovery is much more sensational than previously thought. In theory, the ship may be as old as the 700s, as it has not been sailing. The Viking era is calculated around the year 800, when the Vikings began to equip their ships with sails.
PEARLS: Archaeologists have found several different pearls. Photo: Museum of Cultural History
Recently, archaeologists have also made several discoveries of historical-cultural treasures. Among other things, they have found an amber pearl with a diameter of 2.5 centimeters.
“Soon after, we found a collection of pearls that may have originated from a pearl bracelet or bag,” says Rødsrud.
Delayed
According to plan, the excavation project should have been completed by Christmas, but archaeologists have the means to take the time they need. They finish this week and cover the excavation site. Work resumes in the new year, when the temperature permits.
– This is an unusually difficult item to dig up. We must do it in a good and responsible way, so as not to make mistakes along the way, says the chief archaeologist.
