Archaeological excavations near Valum farm in Norway's Innlandet region have uncovered a cemetery dating back approximately 1,000 years, revealing 15 skeletons buried side-by-side. Discovered during work conducted by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU), these graves are of significant importance for bearing traces of early Christianity from the transition period between the Viking Age and the Middle Ages, and for directly documenting the shift in beliefs in the region.
Shallow Graves and Christian Traces
The first bone finds were accidentally discovered in a field in 2020 by a metal detector user. Subsequent rescue excavations led to the discovery of shallow graves that were at risk of being destroyed by agricultural activities. Radiocarbon dating analyses indicate that the bones in the cemetery date between 994 and 1190 CE. For additional sources and further reading that strengthen this context, see [1] [2] [3].
Sources and Further Reading
- [1] Norway's 2025 archaeological finds: Viking skeletons, jewellery, and an ancient reindeer trapping facility
- [2] Top Norwegian archaeological finds of 2023: Viking ships, gold treasures, and 4,000-year-old skeletons
- [3] Norwegian archaeology find of the year: A 4,000-year-old grave with skeletons
Image & News Source: Sciencenorway / sciencenorway.no