A remarkable discovery has been made on the west coast of Norway, where a unique Viking Age sword has been unearthed. This sword, one of the most ornamented and heaviest of its kind, offers a glimpse into the rich craftsmanship and cultural exchanges of the Viking era. Found in the Gausel area of Stavanger, this sword is a testament to the intricate artistry and metallurgical skills of the Vikings.
The Discovery
Last year, a piece of a sword was found on a farm in Gausel by a metal detector enthusiast. This year, another enthusiast found a large fragment of a sword hilt in the same area. To the astonishment of archaeologists, the two pieces fit together perfectly, revealing parts of a magnificently ornamented Viking Age sword. This discovery was made near the site of a richly-furnished tomb of a Viking woman, uncovered in 1883.
The Initial Find
The first piece discovered was a small, irregular fragment. The finder, unsure of its significance, handed it over to the Stavanger Archaeological Museum for further investigation. A year later, a friend of the initial finder returned to the same field and uncovered a larger section of an ornately decorated sword hilt. Museum conservators quickly realized that this new piece matched the fragment found the previous year.
The D-Sword
The hilt belongs to a type of Viking sword known as the D-sword, characterized by its heavy weight and elaborate ornamentation. Despite the discovery of approximately 3,000 Viking swords, only about 20 D-swords have been found in Norway. These swords were either imported or meticulously copied by local blacksmiths, and the decorative style suggests it dates back to the early 9th century.
Ornate Details
Although some details on the hilt are still difficult to discern, the ornamentation includes gilded elements typical of animal styles from the Iron and Viking Ages (circa 550 to 1050). The hilt also features silver geometrical motifs created using the niello method, which involves a metallic combination to create black stripes in the silver. The ends of the crossguard are shaped like animal heads, adding to the sword’s uniqueness. These features suggest that the sword might have been made in the Frankish Empire or England. The closest known parallel is a sword from the island of Eigg in Scotland, found in a ninth-century tomb.
Expert Insights
Archaeologist Zanette Glørstad from the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger highlighted the significance of this find. “The technique is of a very high quality, and both the lavish and complicated decor and the special formation of the crossguard make this a truly unique find,” Glørstad stated in a press release.
Conservation and Display
The hilt is currently undergoing cleaning and conservation. Once this process is complete, it will be put on permanent display at the Stavanger Archaeological Museum, allowing the public to appreciate this extraordinary piece of Viking history.
Conclusion
The discovery of this unique Viking Age sword in Norway adds to our understanding of the Vikings’ sophisticated craftsmanship and their connections with other cultures. As the hilt undergoes conservation, it promises to be a significant addition to the historical artifacts on display, offering insights into the rich and intricate world of the Vikings.
