Viking-Age Sword, Jewelry Found in Finnish Graveyard
Vikings Heading for Land
Scandinavian chronicles reveal that attempts have been made to conquer Finland since the Iron Age – and the Vikings were no exception. Sweden eventually overran the entirety of Finland during the so-called Time of Crusades.A local resident in Janakkala, south of the city of Hämeenlinna in southern Finland, came across a Viking-era sword while clearing brushwood in his forest. This, in turn, led to the discovery of more artefacts and an extensive Iron Age graveyard.Reijo Hyvönen, a member of the Häme region’s local folklore association, was told about the find and, after visiting the site, confirmed that it was indeed a Viking sword probably coming from AD1000 to AD1100.A quick survey of the site also revealed a Viking-age spearhead and an axehead.Subsequent excavations presided over by the Finnish Heritage Agency, unearthed a plethora of Viking-age objects, including a tortoise brooch, a bracelet, a spiral ring, a chain, burnt bone and ceramics.Based on the preliminary survey, the researchers concluded that the finds were part of a large cremation graveyard. This, in turn, indicates that some 1,000 years ago Janakkala housed a large settlement teeming with activity.
“There are probably not many such extensive areas in the region, where there are this many artefacts – at least based on the metal detector signals”, Hyvönen told local media.
He also stressed that swords were a high-status item (ordinary warriors usually carried spears or axes) and prove that the area had both a warlike past and enjoyed a period of prosperity during the Iron Age.The site of the discovery had been partially disturbed by forestry operations in the past, but it has now been declared a protected site. However, as of now, there are no plans for further research because of the Finnish Heritage Agency’s funds are limited.
Science & TechUnique Viking Swords Found in Sweden Puzzle Researchers in a ‘Bit of a Sensation’28 October, 05:20 GMTEarlier in 2013, a warrior’s grave was found in Janakkala and deemed unique as it included two different swords – one dating to the Viking Era and one typical of the period of the Crusades – as well as other weaponry. The burial was dated to around the year AD1300.The Viking Age usually refers to the Early Middle Age between AD800 and AD1050 and takes its name from the raid-and-trade voyages by Norsemen, now known as Vikings, who proved themselves to be masters of sea and war by conquering far-flung lands.Present-day Finland was ripe for Scandinavian pillaging from the Iron Age onwards. Ynglinga Saga, written in the early 13th century, describes a military expedition to Finland at the end of the 4th century by the Swedish king Agne. In the 1150s, the First Swedish Crusade took place. Sweden eventually conquered Finland after the Second and Third Crusades against the local tribes – the Tavastians and Karelians – in the 13th century.
