Fifty Viking skeletons discovered in Denmark reveal international trade

Over the past six months, archaeologists from the Museum Odense have unearthed fifty exceptionally well-preserved Viking skeletons in the village of Åsum, located west of Copenhagen, Denmark. This significant discovery also included five cremated graves, which is unusual for Viking-era excavations. The burial site, believed to date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, spans approximately 2,000 square meters and is thought to have been used by a community of farmers, although some individuals buried there were of high status. The skeletons were found alongside various artifacts, including knives, brooches, glass pearls, and even a wagon, indicating that the buried individuals were part of international trade networks during the Viking Age. Notably, one woman was interred in the wagon she likely traveled in, adorned with her finest belongings, including a glass bead necklace and a knife with a silver-threaded handle. The presence of these items suggests a connection to broader trade practices of the time. Museum curator Michael Borre Lundø expressed excitement over the potential for DNA analyses on the well-preserved remains, which could reveal familial connections among the buried individuals. This aspect of the discovery is particularly significant, as such analyses have not been conducted on similar Viking graves before. The excavation was prompted by plans to renovate an electrical grid in the area, leading to this remarkable find that sheds light on Viking life and their extensive trade networks. The findings may provide new insights into the social structure and cultural practices of the Viking Age.