Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – A metal detectorist in Norway has made a significant discovery that researchers are currently examining. While using a metal detector in Bjugn, Trøndelag County, Roy Søreng found an oval brooch, a type of jewelry commonly associated with the Viking Age and earlier periods. This find led to the identification of a grave at Val in Bjugn, which has presented archaeologists with an intriguing mystery: evidence of a previously unknown Viking Age burial tradition.
Archaeologists from the NTNU University Museum and Trøndelag County Council are actively investigating this find. Additionally, the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage has expressed interest in the discovery, highlighting its potential importance for understanding Viking Age practices.
“The Viking Age grave contains what we believe to be a woman, buried with a typical Viking Age costume and jewelry set from the 800s. This indicates that she was a free and probably married woman, perhaps the mistress of the farm,” says Raymond Sauvage, head engineer at the museum’s Department of Archaeology and Cultural History.
Cult Of St. James In A Pre-Christian Grave?
Archaeologists have been conducting their excavation discreetly due to the exceptional beauty of the discovery. They have expressed gratitude to both the finder, Søreng, and the landowner, Arve Innstrand, for their valuable assistance.
The jewelry uncovered includes two oval brooches designed to fasten the straps of a suspender dress, along with a small ring buckle that would have closed the neck opening of a petticoat. Notably, one of these oval brooches was found by Søreng earlier this year.
Kristoffer Rantala and Hanne Bryn are both archaeologists at the NTNU University Museum. The photo shows them during the excavation of the woman in Bjugn. Photo: Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
During the Viking Age, burial practices were elaborate rituals where jewelry, clothing, and grave goods served as markers of status and identity. While scallop shells later gained Christian significance associated with St. James in the Middle Ages, they are rarely found in pre-Christian graves.
The deceased were often displayed with garments, bedding, and symbolic items to create lasting memories and highlight their family’s social standing within society. These burial rituals were adaptable and could incorporate new elements over time. Both scallop shells and bird bones discovered at such sites likely held symbolic meaning intended for those attending or witnessing these ceremonies.
Found Another Skeleton In The Same Field
“The most remarkable thing is two scallop shells placed at the dead woman’s mouth. This is a practice that is not previously known from pre-Christian graves in Norway. We don’t yet know what the symbolism means,” says Sauvage, who is also the project manager for the surveys.
The arrangement of the shells—with their curved sides facing outward and straight edges positioned upward to cover the mouth partially—strongly suggests intentional placement, likely for a specific purpose.
Additionally, the discovery of small bird bones along the grave, most likely from wings, further supports this idea.
This woman lived in Bjugn during the Viking Age. She presents a mystery that archaeologists have not yet solved. Photo: Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
Earlier this year, researchers uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved skeleton from the 700s in the same field. Inspired by Søreng’s metal detector find, they also investigated this new location—demonstrating how each discovery builds on previous successes and underscores the importance of continued exploration in uncovering our past.
Could Have Been Lost Forever If Not For The Landowner’s Thoughtful Intervention
During a recent inspection, Supervisor Hanne Bryn from the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History reported the discovery of a new skeletal grave that is at risk of damage from upcoming plowing activities. Recognizing the urgency, the landowner, Innstrand, permitted researchers to continue their work on the site.
Why on earth does the woman have scallop shells around her mouth? Photo: Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
Bryn noted that this newly uncovered grave is estimated to be one to three generations younger than another previously documented grave in the same area. In response to this significant find, the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage provided additional funding for a security excavation. This support enabled archaeologists to document both the skeletal remains and the associated grave goods carefully.
Hanna Geiran, director general of the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage, emphasized the importance of this discovery: “This is an incredibly exciting finding. It is very unusual to find such a well-preserved skeleton in ancient graves. This find has great cultural heritage value and potential. Therefore, it was important for the Directorate for Cultural Heritage to provide funds to ensure this could be studied in the best possible way.”
This wonderful bowl brooch is among the finds from the grave. Photo: Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
“I would like to commend both the landowner and the finder for now being able to learn a little more about a fascinating period in our common history. The Viking Age engages many people, and now we look forward to learning more after the further investigations at the NTNU University Museum,” said Geiran in a press release.
Can DNA Solve The Viking Age Mystery?
The archaeologists have delayed publication of information on the skeleton and associated artifacts from the Viking Age grave due to considerable challenges in preserving them, as well as other practical and professional considerations. Researchers at the NTNU University Museum will now undertake a thorough analysis of this discovery. Their examination will focus on collecting additional data on body height, gender-specific characteristics, and any indications of disease in the remains.
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“We will examine the skeleton, preserve the objects, and take samples for dating and DNA analysis. The goal is to learn more about the person and about possible kinship to the previous find from the same place,” says Sauvage.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
