Norway: Family Uses Metal Detector to Look For Lost Earring, Finds 1200-Year-Old Viking Treasure (See Pics)
A Norwegian family that was using a metal detector to find a lost gold earring discovered something more precious, Viking artifacts, dating back nearly 1,200 years.
Oslo, October 7: A Norwegian family that was using a metal detector to find a lost gold earring discovered something more precious, Viking artifacts, dating back nearly 1,200 years. When the Aasvik family pulled out their metal detector to search for the earring in the garden around their home in Jomfruland, they instead found items believed to be from a Viking funeral.
The Aasvik family immediately contacted local authorities to report their find. Officials praised the family for the unprecedented discovery and for immediately contacting authorities about the rare find, reported DailyExpress.
Family Finds Viking Treasure
Experts believe the two metal artifacts were used in a woman's burial from the 9th century. The artifacts are believed to be the first Viking-era discovery in Jomfruland, an island off Norway's south coast. 'Against The Torah': US Tourist Destroys Two Roman Statues at Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Photos of Damaged Ancient Artifacts Surface.
The larger artifact found in the grave is an oval-shaped brooch that would have been worn by a woman on a halter dress, to fasten the shoulder straps at the front, said experts. Moon Now Has Hundreds of Artifacts, Should They Be Protected?.
Archeologists believe a woman’s grave had been unknowingly preserved under a large tree in the Aasvik family’s garden. The artifacts are believed to be from around the year AD 800.
The Archeologist told Live Science they are unsure if the site of the finds will be excavated because it may be protected as a grave.
A spokesperson for Vestfold and Telemark County Municipality said that researchers knew settlements have existed on Jomfruland since as far back as the early Middle Ages and believed it was inhabited in the Viking Age, but this may be evidence to concretely prove it.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2023 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).