VG.no Reports Major Viking Era Discovery in Årdal, Norway

Archaeologists from the University of Stavanger (UiS) have uncovered four silver arm rings in Årdal, Ryfylke. The silver treasure is likely from the 9th century. This is definitely the biggest experience in my career, says archaeologist and project leader Volker Demuth from the Archaeological Museum at UiS in a press release.

The treasure was found approximately 20 centimeters underground in a cliff in Årdal in Hjelmeland municipality, by field archaeologists Mari Krogstad Samuelsen and Ola Tengesdal Lygre. They were conducting excavations to determine if there was anything of value before a local farmer began construction of a new tractor road on his land.

The investigation is funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and will be extended due to this exceptional find. A Unique Discovery According to project leader Demuth, the excavation shows that there was a large and powerful Viking farm in Årdal, as remnants of pots in soapstone, nails, knife blades, and whetstones for sharpening tools have been found.

He explains that the discovery of the arm rings is unprecedented, as it is extremely rare to find such objects exactly where they were placed. Usually, such valuable artifacts are discovered in fields that have been plowed, where an item is completely removed from its original context. Since the silver treasure has not been moved, it can offer us entirely new insights into life and society in the Viking Age, says Demuth.

The soil block where the arm rings were found has been transported to the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger for further investigation. The museum reopens Friday after being closed for a year for renovations, and museum director Ole Madsen states that the arm rings will be exhibited as soon as they are ready to be displayed.

This is a fantastic find that provides us with unique knowledge about one of the most central historical periods in Norway, namely the Viking Age, says Madsen.