Medieval Royal Estate discovered in Norway

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of  King Håkon Håkonsson former royal residency from the Middle Ages at Avaldsnes in Western Norway. 

The “North-Way” towards the south [Credit: Erik Kallevik, The Royal Manor Project]

"This is the only royal residence in the countryside from the Middle Ages that we know of, says Professor of Archaeology at the University of Oslo, Dagfinn Skree. 

Archaeologists have felt quite confident that kings used to reside in the historic area at Avaldsnes in Karmoy municipality, on the south-west coast of Norway. They made several ancient discoveries over the summer, but the royal estate, estimated to be built in the second half of the 1200s, is their most remarkable find. 

Olavskirken in the Avaldsnes [Credit: Erik Rustad (Flickr, used under a CC BY 3.0)]

"I have to admit that I was very excited. It's a rare find, and it's been a unique experience to be part of these excavations, the head of the excavations, Egil Marstein Bauer, tells NRK. 

This summer's excavations in Avaldsnes started in June, and are one of the biggest research excavations that have ever taken place in Norway. When the project started, it was already known that the Olavs Church at Avaldsnes was built by Håkon Håkonsson. 

Reconstruction of a royal manor [Credit: Tor HÃ¥kon Haugen (Flickr, used under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)]

About their most recent find, the royal residence, archeologists say that they feel certain that they have found evidence that prove that the estate used to belong to Håkon Håkonsson. 

Still, a lot of work remains. The excavation project is supposed to be completed in three weeks, but it will take time to map out and identify the details of their latest discovery. 

Author: Julie Ryland | Source: The Norway Post [July 27, 2012]