Viking shield, spear points and human bones recovered from Viking boat burial in N. Iceland

Archaeologists working at a dig in Eyjafjörður fjord in North Iceland have announced they have discovered a shield, human bones and two spear points from two of the boat burials. Previously they had uncovered the bones of what appears to be a Viking chief who was buried with his sword and dog at the site. The dig has barely started. Four of the graves have yet to be explored at all, and more could still be discovered at the site.

The exploration of the Dysnes site has barely begun [Credit: Auðunn]

According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service the artifacts found today came from two separate boat burials. The spear points were recovered from a burial which has been badly eroded by the ocean. The waves have already washed away half of the boat, and any items it might have contained.

The grave has nevertheless yielded several fascinating finds. Last week the archaeologists recovered a Viking sword from the boat, as well as the bones of the chief who was buried in the boat, along with teeth from a dog. Today's find adds a further detail to the picture: The Viking chief was buried with his dog, as well as his sword and spears.

The human bones and the Viking age shield was discovered in a second boat grave were discovered in a burial which was discovered last week. The two boats are arranged in a line, bow to stern. What appears to be a third boat burial has yet to be explored.

Source: Iceland Magazine [June 23, 2017]