A team of archaeologists from the University of Oslo uncovered a Viking Age tomb containing the remains of a shield and a collection of grave goods. The discovery was reported by Heritage Daily.
The tomb was found in a residential area just north of Oslo’s city center, near the historical path of the Holmenbecken stream. Workers unearthed the burial while preparing the ground for a new housing development, triggering the arrival of the archaeological team to document the find.
Among the discoveries was a richly decorated Viking tomb accompanied by a variety of ancient objects, including a bell, a sickle, two knives, a Celtic brooch, horse equipment, and several other items that hint at the person’s status and daily life in the era.
Experts noted that the type of global or globe-shaped brooch began appearing around 850 AD and became more common after the 10th century. Its presence suggests a close link to burial practices of the time. Such cloak brooches were often worn by men, and the discovery of the shield’s umbo—a metal inlay at the center of the shield—along with the brooch strengthens the interpretation that the interred individual was male.
Today, the finds reside in the conservation laboratory where specialists are conducting further analyses. Although the team hopes to learn more from the artefacts, no unburned bone remains were recovered, which means DNA cannot be extracted from this tomb at present. The researchers continue to examine the material with non-invasive techniques to build a clearer picture of this Viking-age burial and the social standing of its inhabitant.