“It was just lying there, waiting to be picked up”

 

An important archeological discovery was made this month by a group of hunters in Iceland. They picked up a sword thought to be from the tenth century which was placed on a pagan grave at the beginning of Iceland’s settlement.

“It was just lying there, waiting to be picked up,” explains Rúnar Stanley Sighvatsson, one of the men who found it. “It was obvious and just lying there on the ground.”

The Cultural Heritage Centre of Iceland believe that the find is “rare and important.” An archeological excavation will take place in the area to see what else was lying in the ancient Viking grave.

The sword was found in Hrífunes, South Iceland.

Only 20 such swords have been found in Iceland and this one is in a very good condition.

Experts believe it dates from between 900 – 1000 AD and that it was placed in a pagan grave.

Kristín Huld Sigurðardóttir director of the Cultural Heritage Centre says that the find is a very important one. The last Viking sword found in Iceland was over a decade ago.

The sword will now undergo further eximination to determine its age and origin.

Iceland Monitor videographer Hallur Már Hallsson was there weeks ago when the sword was presented to the Cultural Heritage Centre.

Via Iceland Monitor