Viking Age silver bracelet unearthed by metal detectorist in Norway

Metal detectorist Jørgen Strande uncovered two Viking Age silver artifacts—a bracelet and a coin—within a day of each other in a farmer’s field in Innlandet County, Norway.

Viking Age silver bracelet unearthed by metal detectorist in NorwayThe piece of a Viking Age silver bracelet was found in a farmer’s field in Norway. Credit: Jørgen Strande

On October 28, while metal detecting in the snow-covered field, Strande unearthed a silver bracelet, leaving him “totally surprised.” The exact age of the bracelet is uncertain, but it is traced back to the Viking Age, spanning from around CE 800 to the 11th century. Strande, who followed proper protocol, took GPS coordinates, pictures, and promptly informed local authorities.

The day before discovering the bracelet, Strande found a coin in the same field, likely circulating between the 10th and 11th centuries. Both finds have been hailed as unprecedented by Strande, who began metal detecting in 2019. His interest in archaeology was sparked by watching the show Time Team with his grandmother.

The field in Bøverbru, Innlandet County, where Strande made the discoveries, had historical significance, with a Viking sword and shield found in a grave in the early 1900s. Strande, having received permission to search the area in the summer, spent extensive time there, expecting to find interesting artifacts but not anticipating a silver bracelet.

The silver bracelet, weighing exactly 15 grams, is believed to have been used as “hacksilver,” fragments or pieces of silver items commonly used as currency or bullion by the Vikings.

Lars Pilø, an Innlandet County archaeologist, told Newsweek that the discovery of hacksilver in inland farms indicates a thriving silver economy during the Viking Age, challenging previous notions that such economies were limited to trading places near the sea.

Strande, expressing his excitement, mentioned that it’s possible he may find additional fragments of the silver bracelet during future metal detecting excursions. The thrill of metal detecting, described by Strande as “the best hobby in the world,” has been a pᴀssion since he started in 2019.

In an interview with The Viking Herald, Strande shared information about his discovery, recounting the moment he saw the silver shining in the hole and his feelings of joy. He highlighted the importance of notifying authorities and following legal procedures, emphasizing his dedication to recovering history in his hometown.

Related Posts

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

A literary enigma that has puzzled scholars for more than a century might have finally been unraveled. Researchers at Cambridge University have reinterpreted a fragment of the…

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

A recent archaeological study is rewriting our understanding of medieval food and the Christian influence on the foodways of Europe. Contrary to long-held ᴀssumptions that Christianity led…

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

A new study, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, reveals an astonishing transformation in elk images in 12,000 years of Altai rock art…

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

A recent expedition to Tanzania by the SCAVENGERS project team has revealed that wild hyenas can significantly alter the archaeological record of early human campsites. Led by…

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have revealed the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The excavation, ahead of a…

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Archaeologists excavating Oslo’s historic neighborhood of Bjørvika have uncovered a trove of medieval leather artifacts—over 2,900 pieces, including hundreds of beautifully preserved shoes, bags, and knife sheaths….