Hiker Discovers 'Well-Preserved' Viking Sword in Haukeli, Norway That Dates Back to 750 A.D.
While taking a break after hiking an old walking route in the Norwegian mountain village of Haukeli, Gøran Olsen spotted a rusty ancient sword lying under some rocks. The sword was later verified to have come from the Viking Age.
The 30-inch, iron-wrought Viking sword dates back to 750 A.D., the Guardian noted Wednesday.
According to the Hordaland County Council, the 1,200-year-old blade was discovered in surprisingly good condition.
"It's quite unusual to find remnants from the Viking age that are so well-preserved," Hordaland County conservator Per Morten Ekerhovd told CNN. "It might be used today if you sharpened the edge," he added.
Ekerhovd further describes the discovery as "quite extraordinary".
The sword was examined by Hordaland County Council archaeologist Jostein Aksdal.
The Daily Mail reported Wednesday that a team of experts led by Aksdal is planning to excavate the area next spring when the snow has cleared.
"It is unusual to find a sword of this type today," Aksdal said.
The sword is said to be a costly weapon, and it was probably used by the owner as a powerful status symbol.
Professor Alexandra Sanmark, a Viking expert at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, said wrought-iron weapons and armor were expensive and whoever wielded them is probably wealthier and more influential than the average Viking.
The Haukeli mountains are covered in snow for at least six months in a year, and experience minimal humidity in summer. The area's climate could explain why the sword was still found a pristine, well-preserved condition, History.com reported Monday.
More artifacts have been discovered in the Haukeli mountains in recent times, as glaciers recede and more items from the Viking era are uncovered.
Professor Sanmark believes the area where the sword was found may have been a burial site for wealthy Vikings, and with them were buried hundreds of precious mementos such as weapons and riding gears.