An important historical discovery from the Viking Age has been made at the Skumsnes farm in Fitjar, located on the west coast of Norway. Excavations dating back to the early ninth century uncovered three graves belonging to high-status women. This discovery offers an opportunity to gain more insight into prehistoric life and Viking culture in the region.
Additionally, it is believed that there may be around 20 graves in total in the area, increasing the likelihood of further discoveries by archaeologists in the future. Such findings can provide significant clues about the social structure, beliefs, and daily lives of the Vikings.
These graves are decorated in a way that indicates a community of significant wealth and importance, unlike many other sites.
The findings, which include valuable jewelry, rare coins, and tools used in textile production, provide unique insights into the social organization, trade relationships, and cultural traditions of the period.
“Most of the buried individuals were adorned with beautiful jewelry. It is extraordinary to find a burial site with such well-preserved artifacts,” says archaeologist Søren Diinhoff from the University Museum of Bergen.
Diinhoff describes the discovery as a “small treasure” for researchers.
According to a report by Arkeonews, the graves belonged to three women who lived in the first half of the ninth century, during the early Viking Age. Skumsnes was home to a relatively large farm at that time, which likely belonged to a local or regional king of western Norway.
The farm’s coastal location probably made it attractive to travelers in need of a safe harbor.
Diinhoff states, “Shelter was provided for passing ships on behalf of the king, which likely generated additional income.” This may explain why the graves are richer than those typically found.
The graves uncovered this autumn belong to three women, each with different burial practices:
Grave in the Rock Crevice: Her grave was covered in stones, and she was buried in a naturally occurring rock formation. Her jewelry, which reflected ties outside of Norway, included oval brooches and other pieces that probably came from England or Ireland.
The Boat Grave: The most ornate burial was for a high-ranking woman. The four-meter-long boat in which she was buried had stones arranged to resemble a ship. Eleven silver coins, including one from Hedeby and some Carolingian, 46 glass beads, and textile-making implements like a weaving sword and a spindle whorl were among her grave goods. Additionally discovered was a bronze key that represented her position as the head of the household. There were no human remains found, which raised the possibility that this grave was a cenotaph.
There was also a stone in the middle of the boat grave marking the mast of the boat. When the archaeologists turned it over, they saw that it resembled a ‘vulva stone’ – the stone looked like female genitalia.
Archaeologists believe it is no coincidence that the stone looks like a woman. The stone was probably placed there to symbolize a woman who was not buried in the tomb. This theory provides a potential explanation for why the items in question were not discovered on a skeleton.
The discovery of a Hedeby coin in this tomb is one of the most remarkable findings. This coin, which was struck in early 9th-century southern Denmark, highlights the Viking Age’s vast trading networks. Additional coins from the Carolingian Empire found in the boat grave point to ties to the Frankish continent.
The 46-bead necklace emphasizes even more how international the Viking Age trade was. In towns like Birka, Hedeby, Ribe, and Kaupang, mosaic glass beads from as far away as the Middle East and Europe were popular, highlighting the Viking world’s interconnectedness.
“Both of these women had contacts outside Norway. It’s probably no coincidence. Perhaps they came from abroad and married into the local community,” Diinhoff speculates.
Fabric production was important in Viking society, as evidenced by the textile tools found in the boat grave. The inclusion of a weaving sword, a hetchel, and wool shears represents not only domestic responsibilities but also the financial influence that women have when running extensive textile businesses. A valuable commodity during the Viking Age, fine textiles—especially sails—were frequently associated with wealth and prestige.
The Unfinished Grave: The third burial has not been fully excavated but yielded beads and fragments of silver jewelry, hinting at its wealth.
Archaeologists have also identified two additional graves and believe there could be as many as 20 graves in the area. Metal detectors have picked up signals in multiple spots.
These graves highlight the important roles that women played in Viking Age society, not only as heads of the home but also as key players in production, trade, and community leadership.
Cover Image Credit: University Museum of Bergen
