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A rare Viking sword, possibly of Frankish origin, has been discovered on a Norwegian farm. Learn more about this relic with mysterious inscriptions that intrigue experts!
A rare Viking sword, possibly inscribed with Ulfberht, has been found on a farm in Norway, shedding light on local history. The approximately 1,000-year-old weapon was discovered on a family farm by Øyvind Tveitane Lovra, an engineer and political local, during the preparation of a field for planting grass.
Lovra says he found a piece of ancient iron and almost discarded it, thinking it was just a scrap of metal. However, closer inspection revealed it to be an ancient sword, which prompted him to contact local archaeologists, as per Norwegian legal requirements for historical artifacts.
Weapon of status and historical rarity
Experts have confirmed that the sword dates back to the Viking Age, a period spanning from 793 to 1066 AD. According to Lars Søgaard Sørensen, an archaeologist from Rogaland, the sword appears to be a rare type originating from the Frankish Empire known as an Ulfberht, which is characterized by a distinctive inscription on the blade. This type of sword was a status symbol among the Vikings, something rare and meant for high-ranking warriors.
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“The sword was the ultimate status symbol in the Viking Age, and it was a privilege to own a piece like this,” said Sørensen.
The artifact found measures approximately 37 centimeters in length and includes the hilt, crossguard and part of the blade, with approximately half of the blade's length missing. For Rogaland, this preservation is surprising, as the soil in the region tends to have unfavorable conditions for the preservation of iron. It is believed that the sword was preserved thanks to the dense clay in the soil, which protected it from oxidation.
Archaeologists performed an X-ray to identify more details of the sword and confirmed the presence of an inscription on the blade. Sigmund Oehrl, a professor of archaeology, points out that this is an indication that the sword could be an Ulfberht, known for its quality and advanced manufacturing for the time.
“These are high-quality swords from the Frankish Empire, marked with the maker’s name,” Oehrl explained. It is rare to find an Ulfberht in Rogaland, and there are only about 170 swords with such inscriptions in the whole of Europe, with only 45 discovered in Norway.
Historical context and local legend
The sword’s dating suggests it was made between 900 and 1050, coinciding with the end of the Viking Age. Lovra believes the sword may have arrived at the farm as a gift from the Vikings, which is supported by local tales of Vikings gifting villagers with artifacts, including decorative pieces and jewelry from other regions, such as Ireland.
Lovra shares that the farm, named Lovra, has a rich folklore tradition of landmark events and says it is fascinating to be able to discover a concrete connection to the ancient Vikings.
