The ancient Viking burial site in Estefall in southeastern Norway was in fact a whole complex, including a feast hall and a religious building.
This discovery was made by Norwegian archaeologists using geological radar to study the burial mounds.
The first high-profile discovery was made in 2018. Under one of the hills, scientists looked at the outlines of a Viking burial ship from the 9th century, about 19 metres long. The ship symbolised a safe passage into the afterlife. This is how Viking elites were usually buried.
Over the next 2 years, archaeologists have identified a total of 13 burial mounds using geological radar, some of them over 30 metres wide. Next to the tombs, the ruins of a feast hall, a cult house and a village house were found. It is possible that all these structures were used during funeral rituals.
Researchers believe that from the 5th century A.D. onwards, there was not only a cemetery of high-ranking Vikings, but also a settlement in Gjellestad.
In the summer of 2020, archaeologists conducted full-scale excavations to restore and preserve everything that can be recovered from a decaying ship. In October, the group discovered something unexpected: bones from large animals. Most likely the remains of a horse or bull sacrificed during a funeral ritual.
The latest findings of archaeologists are described in the latest issue of Antiquity magazine. Excavations are continuing in Gjellestad. Source, edited by Michael Walsh
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