The discoveries suggest that the Vikings were involved in trade networks far more extensive than previously thought.
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Beneath the sleepy Danish village of Åsum, archaeologists have discovered more than 50 remarkable Viking graves, which will likely shed new light on the everyday lives of the the formidable Norsemen.
The excavation, conducted by archaeologists from Museum Odense over the past six months, has revealed exceptionally well-preserved skeletons buried with a wealth of other artefacts, such as knives, jewellery and crystals.
"It is really unusual to find as many well-preserved skeletons at once as those found in Åsum, and such a find provides extraordinary opportunities to carry out a wide range of natural scientific analyzes that can say more about the general state of health, dietary habits of the buried and where they originate from," explains Michael Borre Lundø, an archaeologist and museum inspector from Museum Odense.
He adds: "Perhaps the analyses can reveal whether the Vikings found in the graves were related to each other, which will be quite special, as this has never previously been investigated in similar graves."
The graves and skeletons are estimated to originate from the 9th century, during the reign of Gorm and Thyra in Jelling, Denmark.
Among the most extraordinary discoveries found at the site is a woman who was buried in what appears to be the remains of a Viking wagon. The artefact surrounding the skeleton's body, ranging from a glass bead necklace to a finely crafted iron knife, suggest she would have been of high status in society.
Other significant finds include a three-lobed bronze suit buckle and a piece of rock crystal, materials that were not naturally available in Denmark but likely imported from as far away as Norway.
"All in all, there are several objects from the many graves in Åsum that show that the buried Vikings were connected to international trade networks that developed during the Viking Age" remarks Lundø.
Most of the skeletons have been taken from their graves and stored in cardboard boxes at Museum Odense to dry before undergoing examination and final cleaning.
