Discovery of 50 Viking Skeletons in Denmark

Excavation of a large Viking-era cemetery in Denmark has led to the discovery of 50 unusually well-preserved skeletons; archaeologists expect this find to shed light on the lifestyle of Northern European people. Michael Borrellondo, director of the Odense Museum excavations, states that these skeletons, found near Odense, Denmark's third-largest city, have not decomposed due to high water levels and favorable soil conditions. He said, "Usually when we excavate Viking graves, if we find two healthy teeth alongside objects in the grave, we consider ourselves lucky; but these skeletons are completely preserved and are truly astonishing. Five fingers on each hand, five toes, and this opens up new possibilities for our discoveries." In this excavation, which began six months ago, rare artifacts such as knives, glass pearls, and brooches dating from 850 to 970 AD have also been found. Borrellondo mentions that the items within the graves indicate that these skeletons belonged to a small community of farmers, but among them was a woman of higher social status who was buried with a silver knife and a piece of glass that was rare during the Viking Age. Archaeologists tested soil samples to determine the season of burial for these bodies and the clothing they wore. X-ray imaging revealed an oval brooch alongside women's clothing covered with wood and human remains. Behind another brooch, decorated with period embellishments, pieces of woven fabric were found, providing evidence of the type of clothing during the Viking era for archaeologists. Most skeletons have been removed from their graves and packaged in cardboard boxes to dry before cleaning and final examinations.