Ruins of Viking home likely discovered in Norway near famed battlefield, officials say

Archaeologists believe they have uncovered the remains of a Viking longhouse in Norway near a famed battlefield.

The discovery was made in Hjørungavåg, a village along the western coast where many ancient artifacts have previously been found, according to a recent municipal government news release.

After ground-penetrating radar located the structure, an excavation began, revealing post holes and the remains of flooring and walls, officials said.

While they could not definitively confirm the house dated to the Viking Age — which spanned from 800 to 1050 A.D. — there were several clues that pointed to this being the case.

For example, the post holes were constructed with stone packings, which was a common design feature of the Viking period. A pendant was also located at the site, which dates to the Viking Age, archaeologists said.

Longhouses, which were supported by wooden posts and covered with sloped roofs, were the central dwellings on Viking farms, according to the National Museum of Denmark. They were used for cooking, sleeping and housing animals.

In addition to the longhouse, a Viking grave was discovered in the area, as well as the remains of a Stone Age house, which dates back around 4,000 years.

These findings, which span across multiple eras, indicate the area could have once been a center of power.

Interestingly, the remains were located just a stone’s throw away from the site of the Battle of Hjørungavåg — which is believed by some to have been an important Viking Age conflict.

The battle, which is alleged to have occurred around 986 A.D., featured a Norwegian army fighting an invading Danish force.

In defeating the Danes, the Norwegians established their independence, officials said.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Møre og Romsdal County Municipality.

This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Ruins of Viking home likely discovered in Norway near famed battlefield, officials say."