Viking burial ground uncovered

A Viking burial ground, which has held bodies undisturbed for 1,000 years with all the trappings of the Sagas including swords, jewellery and firemaking materials, has been uncovered in Cumbria, after a chance find by a metal detector.

The site - thought to contain the first formal burial of bodies discovered in England - is believed to date from the 10th century, when the Vikings had been Christianised, but were evidently still hedging their bets.

AND a further thought: what a contrast between the policy in the UK, where those who find archeologically significant material are rewarded for reporting it, and this:

A landowner in Nord-Trøndelag is regretting the day he reported finding the remains of a Viking-era pier to the authorities. That's because he's now being ordered to help cover excavation costs.

Steinar Østerlie found the remains of a 1,000-year-old pier when he started building a small boat harbour off land he owns in the coastal community of Frosta. . .

Østerlie's excitement over the discovery quickly cooled, however, when he was ordered to pay NOK 100,000 (about USD 14,000) to secure the area.

He protested the big bill and won a partial reprieve, only to be told he'd need to pay NOK 40,000 instead as the landowner's contribution towards excavation costs.

Posted by David on September 10, 2004 11:07 PM