Archaeologists unearth manufacturing site from early Viking Age
Thanks to particularly favourable preservation conditions, archaeologists at Bergen Museum are now able to unearth an extensive archaeological site in Lærdal, Western Norway.
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The find at Bjørkum reveals that this has been the location of a substantial home crafts industry from the Early Viking Age. A multitude of bone material has been found, quernstones, and fragments of textiles, loom weights, and spinning wheels, which testify that this in all probability has been the location of a home crafts industry of, among other things, textiles, objects from bone, combs, and more. Around 30 different types of houses have been unearthed, including the more permanent posthole house type and houses for various types of manufacture.
Comb with runic inscription
An interesting find of a comb with runic inscription has been made. Combs were important in the Viking Age and a sign of status, and the work on this one is performed by an expert hand. The runic inscription suggests that this was carried out by a craftsman and a specialist. The comb is believed to date from the 800s.
