More Viking-era artefacts surface in Salme dig

An archaeological excavation that resumed last week in Salme on the island of Saaremaa, a site where ancient ships were previously found has turned up more Viking-era ship rivets and sword fragments.  

Outdoor digs in Salme in 2010 [Credit: ERR]

"We don't have any major discoveries and finds to report yet, but we have received confirmation in the course of the work that they may come," archaeologist Jüri Peets told the island daily Meie Maa. 

"We have reached the sixth soil layer and right on the first day we found two rivets that are from the same era as the Viking ships. They are exactly the same kind and size that we have found in the past." 

In 2008, two Viking ships dating for 850 CE were found near the village of Salme. They had been used for ship burial and contained skeletal remains.  

Author: Kristopher Rikken | Source: ERR News [July 12, 2011]