What do they have in common? In the manner of messages abandoned by fictional pirates, this bottle was buried in Norway. It appeared during the excavations of a tomb. What is this story about the message in the bottle and the Norwegian Vikings?
The story began approximately 150 years ago. The Norwegian archaeologist Anders Lorange in 1874 decided that it would be an interesting idea to keep a message in a bottle. Now, it was found. And it offered an extraordinary insight into 19th century Viking burial practices and archaeological methods.
Revealing message
Archaeologists appreciate Lorange’s message. They found it during the ongoing excavation of King Audbjorn’s tomb in Norway. It is the same place where the largest Viking ship in the world was found. Today’s archaeologists were able to compare past practices with those of the present and answer some open questions about Viking culture.
The bottle contained two coins. Also, a business card from archaeologist Lorange and a handwritten note from the archaeologist himself. In this he offered fascinating details about the excavation carried out more than a century ago. «This mound was excavated in 1874 AD Author: Anders Lorange, Norwegian antiquarian. The mound is built on fallen men. They burned them on their ship along with their weapons and jewelry. Skjold [escudo] it had 26 protuberances [espadas]two [hachas] and many arrows, besides many other ancient saws. Bergens,” the message indicates, according to the Daily Galaxy.
World Heritage
Archaeologist Jacob Bredesen recorded the moment the message was found. After sharing the video on a social media account, it generated widespread excitement about its content.
This discovery is part of a larger excavation. It is intended to ensure that the site is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it adds elements that corroborate the need to establish a program to continue the excavations begun by Lorange in 1874.
