1200 year old Viking cemetery found in Sweden with stone ship burials

Archaeologists in Sweden have discovered a surprising Viking Age cemetery with more than 100 graves and ship-shaped burial grounds in the village of Tvååker, in southwestern Sweden. Originally the team wanted to locate an ancient settlement, but found the cemetery instead. According to Petra Nordin, project leader at the National Historical Museums, only a small part of this extensive cemetery has been excavated.

Initial discovery and historical context

The cemetery was first identified in 2017 and discovered during surveys for upcoming road works. Although the village of Tvååker appears historical datathe cemetery had remained hidden due to centuries of agricultural activities, which damaged above-ground tracks. Excavations conducted between 2017 and 2019 revealed 139 graves, complete with human and animal remains, metal objects and ceramic vessels. Some graves contained large stones arranged in a boat-like formation. It reflected a common Viking burial ritual.

Unique grave finds

One particularly notable grave contained 17 ships in addition to woven weights, iron arrowheads and animal bones. These elements suggested a complex burial ritual. Archaeologists believe a structure may have been built to improve airflow for a raised cremation pyre, an important aspect of Viking burial customs. There is evidence that animals, possibly sacrificed as sacrifices, were placed above the graves, which were later surrounded by stones in a ‘stone ship’ layout.

Cultural artifacts and timeline

Among the discoveries was a fragment of a silver coin from Arabia, dated between 795 and 806 AD, which helped frame the cemetery in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. The team has yet to identify the Viking settlement associated with the cemetery, and ongoing research is underway to determine its exact location. According to Nordin, they are investigating whether this village is near the cemetery or further along the Tvååker River.