Continued investigation of an archeological site in western Sweden has revealed well over a hundred graves and a possible Viking ship burial.
The latest excavations have unearthed a series of intriguing finds, including signs of cremation and indications of animal sacrifice.
An ancient site
Archeologists first began excavations at this site in the small town of Tvååker in May 2017.
They believed they were primarily investigating a small Stone Age settlement and successfully unearthed evidence of a furnace and flint tools from this period.
As they explored further, however, the team identified five graves and fragments of human and animal bones, suggesting the site was also home to a Viking Age burial ground.
Now, the company that directs the excavations, Arkeologerna, has released details of their findings over the last seven years.
To date, a total of 139 graves from the Viking era have been identified, as well as evidence of cremation. In addition to animal and human bones, other items include a series of metal brooches, belt buckles, and ceramic vessels.
The team notes that the burial ground was located on a flat ridge close to two important transport routes. This strategic position would have enabled residents in the area to access the Tvååker River and a main thoroughfare used for transporting iron.
Unfortunately, much of the burial ground is thought to be located under modern buildings, and the archeologists estimate that only 6% of the site has been excavated.
Even so, the scale of the finds suggests that it was likely a significant settlement.
- READ MORE: The Viking history of Sweden at a glance
Archeologists uncovered over 100 graves at the Viking site in Tvååker, a discovery that points to its significance as a burial ground. Photo: Arkeologerna / National Historical Museums
Ship burials in plowed land
Close to the ridge, the archeologists also uncovered what appears to be the remains of a 50-meter-long ship.
If confirmed, this would be one of the most notable Viking ship burial sites in Sweden, with further finds indicating stone formations in the shape of ships.
As the archeologists admit, however, excavation has been complicated.
"The problem is that the land has been plowed and leveled to create pastures, so all the occupation levels, including former above-ground remains and burials, have been plowed to pieces," says Petra Nordin, one of the lead archeologists on the site, in an Arkeologerna press release.
"This means we have had to interpret everything from heavily truncated remains."
"However, we did investigate where the cremation pyres were, and among other things, we found what we interpreted as a 50-meter-long ship-formed stone setting up on the ridge."
The site also contains a large square with three large fire pits and a layer of fire-cracked stones.
- READ MORE: Revealing the Viking ship burials of Norway
The gravesite revealed metal brooches, belt buckles, ceramic vessels, and this buckle showing a horse biting its tail. Photo: Arkeologerna / National Historical Museums
Animal sacrifice and further research
Nordin also commented that animals were likely sacrificed at the site. "We found remains of dogs on small, round cremation pyres and human remains on oblong cremation pyres," Nordin continued.
"The dog was a companion and accompanied the person on the pyre." The investigations also indicate that other animals, including cattle, may have been sacrificed above the grave to honor the dead.
One Arabic coin found at the site has been dated to the late 9th century, and it is thought that the site may have been used for several centuries.
More research is needed in this area, while there also remains some mystery about what kind of settlement could have been connected to the burial ground.
"There has been talk, among other things, that there may have been a Viking era trading post at Gamla Köpstad south of the town of Varberg or at Galtabäck harbor," Nordin commented in the press release.
"Is the village located at the mouth of Tvååker, or is it near the burial ground? We don't know. But it is exciting to see what will emerge in the future."
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