Archaeologists in Norway have discovered a unique burial site. The discovery sheds new light on Bronze Age burial practices.
Fredrikstad – When archaeologists dig things out of the ground, not many finds are considered sensational. But sometimes researchers get lucky. Discovery of a toy animal from the Viking Age One example is a remarkable excavation in Norway.
A previously hidden burial site was discovered in Fredrikstad. After the Race removed and the ground cleaned, more than 40 round and oval stone arrangements were revealed. These were only five to ten centimeters below the surface of the earth and contained central stone slabs or large stones, indicating a special burial practice.
Unique discovery in Norway: Archaeologists find circular burial sites
The circular stone arrangements, which are one to two metres in diameter, contained burnt bone remains. This type of arrangement and the central stone slabs are typical for the Norwegian Bronze and Early Iron Age, which highlights the importance of this site, as ScienceNorway reported.
“The grave is, to our knowledge, unique and the only one of its kind in Norway and Scandinavia. Although we have excavated similar graves in the past, very few of the graves are children’s graves or only a few of the graves could be identified. Children identified,” said Hege Damlien, the project manager for the excavation of the grave site, to Newsweek.
Grave site in present-day Norway was probably used for several centuries
What is special about this burial site is the high number of child burials. Radiocarbon analyses have shown that the site was used for several centuries, from 1300 BC to 200 AD. Most of the burials took place between 800 and 400 BC. This indicates that the site played an important role in the community for a long time. The Excavation of a mega-structure on the Greek island of Crete.
The burial site reflects the cultural and social changes in Norway during the Bronze Age. The practice of cremation and the more modest design of the graves indicate a society in which the community was more important than the demonstration of power by individuals.
Was the high infant mortality rate the reason for the burial site?
Archaeologists such as Hege Damlien and Guro Fossum are particularly fascinated by the exclusive burial of children. The high infant mortality rate of this period could provide an explanation, but the exact reason for choosing this particular location remains a mystery. Other archaeological finds are also a mystery to researchers.
The research at the burial site is not yet complete. Planned analyses of the grave goods and ceramic fragments should provide further information. In addition, an exhibition entitled “In memory of the children” is planned at the Historical Museum in Oslo, which will present some of the finds. Also in In Norway, a family made a sensational discovery in their own garden and finds a real treasure. (mg/jm)
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