Posted on 02/28/2015 1:53:09 PM PST by SunkenCiv
In August 2014 a hobby archaeologist found a Viking Age sword with metal detector in a field in Skaun, just south of Trondheim in Central Norway. Now, archaeologists have examined the finding and have some exciting news about the owner.
Having examined the grave, archaeologists at the NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology in Trondheim tell NRK that it is dated to about the year 950. In addition to the sword, researchers found the remains of a shield.
'We have not managed to find out who owned the sword, but we know that he was a well traveled man", says archaeologist Ingrid Ystgaard.
Radiographs show that there is an inscription on the sword blade that tells that it probably has been produced outside Scandinavia.
Swords with inscriptions were not common and show that it was of very high quality, unless it was a copy.
Spain or Constantinople?
Other evidence that the grave belongs to a man who had traveled widely was found in a leather purse hidden inside the shield boss: The purse contained several Islamic coins.
(Excerpt) Read more at thornews.com ...
Clearly both Vikings -and- various coins traveled throughout the known world of the time. It’s probably impossible to say for sure which traveled where and when.
That was a great movie/
Sure hope ISIS doesn't see it, and make one of those slides.
Since Viking traders and Muslims had a known long term relationship there’s no reason to assume the coin exchange was through a third party. It’s possible of course.
dear 21-12,
i am of the same idea.
if not ragnor loethbruk, who was a real guy, then his son, bjorn, for sailing on a sea that has no tides.
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