Archaeologists in Aasum, central Denmark, have uncovered a significant Viking-era cemetery containing approximately 50 exceptionally well-preserved skeletons. This discovery, reported by Anadolu, marks a notable advancement in understanding the Viking period.
The excavation, led by archaeologist Michael Borre Lundo, began in April and concluded recently. Lundo expressed excitement over the find, stating, "This is such an exciting discovery because we found these skeletons that are very well preserved. Usually, we would be lucky to find a few teeth in graves, but here we have complete skeletons." The preservation of the remains is attributed to the favorable soil conditions, particularly chalk and high groundwater levels, according to experts from the Odense museum.
The site was identified last year during routine investigations prior to planned reconstruction of a power line on the outskirts of Aasum, located five kilometers northeast of Odense, Denmark's third-largest city. Experts intend to conduct DNA analyses to reconstruct aspects of the individuals' life histories and investigate social patterns during the Viking Age, including kinship and migration.
Lundo noted, "This opens up a whole new toolbox for scientific discoveries." The Viking Age, spanning from 793 to 1066 CE, is characterized by Norse explorers known as Vikings who conducted extensive raids, colonized, and traded across Europe, even reaching North America.
It is believed that the individuals buried in Aasum were not warriors. Lundo suggests that the site likely represents a standard settlement, possibly an agricultural community, situated five kilometers from a fort in present-day Odense.
The 2,000-square-meter cemetery contains remains of men, women, and children, along with several cremated bodies. Artifacts unearthed include brooches, necklace beads, knives, and a small piece of glass that may have served as an amulet. The design of the brooches indicates that the burials occurred between 850 and 900 CE.
The excavation, which started in April, has now concluded, and the artifact boxes have been sent to the Odense museum's laboratories for cleaning and analysis.