Hiker Accidentally Discovers 1,200-Year-Old Viking Sword In Norway
Tourists are often attracted by the mountainous region of Haukeli in Norway to go fishing, hunting and hiking there. And recently, one of the visitors, a hiker, came across an extraordinary discovery: a Viking sword, possibly dating back to 1,200 years ago.
The hiker, Gøran Olsen, noticed an exceptionally preserved sword placed among the rocks, when he was just sitting down to rest during his trek across a well-known path in the region. The find was recently published by the Hordaland County Council.
"It's quite unusual to find remnants from the Viking age that are so well-preserved ... it might be used today if you sharpened the edge," Per Morten Ekerhovd, a county conservator, said. Ekerhovd claims that hikers usually find relics in Haukelin, but this find, the sword, is totally well-preserved, different from all previous findings.
According to Ekerhovd, hikers often discover artifacts in Haukeli, though the sword is remarkably well-preserved. Frost and snow cover the region for half of the year, while low humidity in the summer months helps protect undiscovered objects.
A little bit longer than 30 inches, the blade was created from wrought iron, devoid of its original hilt. It was possibly from a grave or a traveler who died or lost it, said Ekerhovd. Furthermore, it was possibly a status symbol because extracting iron was arduous and costly at that time.
It can as well direct researchers to other Viking finds. “When the snow has gone in spring, we will check the place where the sword was found,” archeologist Jostein Aksdal of Hordaland County says. “If we find several objects, or a tomb, perhaps we can find the story behind the sword.”
Or, maybe soon, another hiker will stumble onto history.
The hiker, Gøran Olsen, noticed an exceptionally preserved sword placed among the rocks, when he was just sitting down to rest during his trek across a well-known path in the region. The find was recently published by the Hordaland County Council.
"It's quite unusual to find remnants from the Viking age that are so well-preserved ... it might be used today if you sharpened the edge," Per Morten Ekerhovd, a county conservator, said. Ekerhovd claims that hikers usually find relics in Haukelin, but this find, the sword, is totally well-preserved, different from all previous findings.
Source: Pinterest
According to Ekerhovd, hikers often discover artifacts in Haukeli, though the sword is remarkably well-preserved. Frost and snow cover the region for half of the year, while low humidity in the summer months helps protect undiscovered objects.
A little bit longer than 30 inches, the blade was created from wrought iron, devoid of its original hilt. It was possibly from a grave or a traveler who died or lost it, said Ekerhovd. Furthermore, it was possibly a status symbol because extracting iron was arduous and costly at that time.
Source: Pinterest
It can as well direct researchers to other Viking finds. “When the snow has gone in spring, we will check the place where the sword was found,” archeologist Jostein Aksdal of Hordaland County says. “If we find several objects, or a tomb, perhaps we can find the story behind the sword.”
Or, maybe soon, another hiker will stumble onto history.
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