A significant Viking-era archaeological discovery was made in Taby, north of Stockholm, Sweden. Between 2020 and 2021, archaeologists from Arkeologerna unearthed a large farm, cemetery, and silver treasure. The treasure had been buried for over a thousand years.
Detailed study of these finds has provided valuable information. It reveals insights into life between 500 and 1050 AD. This period spans the late Iron Age and early Middle Ages.
The archaeological site in Viggbyholm contains remains of 34 buildings and five graves. Excavations revealed approximately 1,450 objects. The most notable find was a Viking-era silver treasure.
The treasure was found in a ceramic vessel covered by a stone. Inside, archaeologists discovered pollen remains, silver necklaces and bracelets, and a silver amulet. There were also beads, twelve pearl pendants, and European and Islamic coins.
The coins were minted between 904 and 997 in Persia, Bavaria, Bohemia, Normandy, and England. The treasure was wrapped in a luxurious linen bag with silk adornments. The silver ions' antimicrobial properties preserved the fabric.
Archaeologist John Hamilton called the discovery extraordinary. He noted the variety of silver objects and their connection to the farm and burial site. The treasure may have been buried during a ritual for a high-ranking woman.
Fifteen structures at the settlement appear to have had ritual functions. Archaeologists found deposits of objects buried for ritual purposes in them. The pottery suggests contact or migration from regions across the Baltic Sea.
Some vessels were made with local clay but resembled styles from distant areas. This suggests long-distance trade or a settlement inhabited by foreigners. DNA analysis of skeletal remains revealed family links and that one individual came from outside the community.
The resulting reports offer a detailed view of Viking-era Sweden. They provide insights into traditions, trade relations, and social structure.