Archaeologists investigating the Viking ship grave at Myklebust in Nordfjordeid have unveiled remarkable new findings, offering fresh insights into one of Norway’s most significant burial mounds. The research suggests it might be the largest Viking ship ever found.
Known locally as Rundehogjen, the burial mound was last excavated in 1874 by Anders Lorange, who unearthed the remains of the Myklebust ship, which dates to the ninth century. Since then, the site has remained largely unexplored, overshadowed by discoveries such as Gokstad and Oseberg.
The current excavation, conducted by experts from the University of Bergen and the University of Stavanger, has yielded over 500 additional ship nails, a bronze ring, and potential shield bulges, confirming the ship’s impressive scale. These finds add to the 600 nails and 42 shield bulges recovered during Lorange’s earlier work.
Photo Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
“The ship was of a very large size. There is great variation in the rivets, and this confirms that the Myklebust ship was a formidable Viking ship,” said Morten Ramstad, section head at the Antiquities Section at the University of Bergen.
Could This Be Norway’s Largest Viking Ship?
The Myklebust ship may be Norway’s largest Viking vessel, though its exact dimensions are still uncertain. “This may be Norway’s largest Viking ship, but we don’t know for sure. Closer examination of the rivets will provide more knowledge about the ship,” said National Antiquities Commissioner Hanna Geiran.
Close-up of one of the many ship rivets. In total, archaeologists have now recovered over 500. In 1874, around 600 rivets were removed. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
Geiran highlighted the advancements in archaeological methods since Lorange’s time. “When Anders Lorange examined the mound 150 years ago, he did so using the methods of the time. Now we can examine much more – and learn even more,” she said.
Expanding the Context
Before the excavation, ground-penetrating radar surveys conducted by the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger revealed traces of a flat-field grave, a production facility, and a large farm.
This is what the burial mound at Myklebust looks like with ground penetrating radar. The image clearly shows the circular shape of the mound, and what may be a moat around it. Photo by University of Stavanger
“This is very exciting, because then we get the opportunity to see what lies beneath the ground. The goal here is to learn more about the mound, but also the surrounding area. Investigations show that this was a large farm and a center of power,” said Geiran.
Such findings are essential for strengthening the case to include Myklebust on Norway’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. “It is very important to have physical traces in an application for World Heritage. We now have that, and it will strengthen the assessment we will make to the Ministry of Climate and Environment regarding inclusion on Norway’s tentative list,” she added.
A Message From the Past
The excavation brought an unexpected discovery: a message in a bottle left by Lorange when he closed the mound 150 years ago. “It was very special and incredibly big to find that message in a bottle. I have made many amazing discoveries in my career, but this is probably the most beautiful one,” said Ramstad.
150-year-old message in a bottle. Archaeologists Morten Ramstad (left) and Thomas Bruen Olsen flank UiB rector Margareth Hagen with Anders Lorange’s message in a bottle. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural HeritageJan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
The bottle, which contained water, will be opened carefully by conservators at the University of Bergen.
Legacy of the Myklebust Ship
A replica of the Myklebust ship, measuring 30 meters long and 6 meters wide, has been built at Sagastad in Nordfjordeid. While the ship’s original dimensions remain speculative, over 1,000 nails have been uncovered, with only a quarter of the mound excavated.
This is what the Myklebust ship may have looked like. This is at least a replica of the ship that is on display at Sagastad in Nordfjordeid. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
“There are a total of seven Norwegian ship burial mounds being surveyed, and Myklebust is the only one with a cremation grave,” said Ramstad. Other burial mounds include Gjellestad in Østfold, Storhaug on Karmøy, Herlaugshaugen on Leka, and the iconic sites of Oseberg, Gokstad, and Borrehaugene in Vestfold.
Geiran emphasized the significance of Myklebust for both national and global heritage. “Here in Nordfjordeid it is about local identity, but also about national history. Perhaps it can eventually also become part of the entire world’s heritage,” she said.
Here are some of the many hundreds of ship nails that were found in Myklebust. From left: Archaeologist Morten Ramstad, National Heritage Officer Hanna Geiran, UiB rector Margareth Hagen and archaeologist Thomas Bruen Olsen. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
The Norwegian government will ultimately decide whether Myklebust will join Norway’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.
Top Image: Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
Archaeologists investigating the Viking ship grave at Myklebust in Nordfjordeid have unveiled remarkable new findings, offering fresh insights into one of Norway’s most significant burial mounds. The research suggests it might be the largest Viking ship ever found.
Known locally as Rundehogjen, the burial mound was last excavated in 1874 by Anders Lorange, who unearthed the remains of the Myklebust ship, which dates to the ninth century. Since then, the site has remained largely unexplored, overshadowed by discoveries such as Gokstad and Oseberg.
The current excavation, conducted by experts from the University of Bergen and the University of Stavanger, has yielded over 500 additional ship nails, a bronze ring, and potential shield bulges, confirming the ship’s impressive scale. These finds add to the 600 nails and 42 shield bulges recovered during Lorange’s earlier work.
“The ship was of a very large size. There is great variation in the rivets, and this confirms that the Myklebust ship was a formidable Viking ship,” said Morten Ramstad, section head at the Antiquities Section at the University of Bergen.
Could This Be Norway’s Largest Viking Ship?
The Myklebust ship may be Norway’s largest Viking vessel, though its exact dimensions are still uncertain. “This may be Norway’s largest Viking ship, but we don’t know for sure. Closer examination of the rivets will provide more knowledge about the ship,” said National Antiquities Commissioner Hanna Geiran.
Geiran highlighted the advancements in archaeological methods since Lorange’s time. “When Anders Lorange examined the mound 150 years ago, he did so using the methods of the time. Now we can examine much more – and learn even more,” she said.
Expanding the Context
Before the excavation, ground-penetrating radar surveys conducted by the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger revealed traces of a flat-field grave, a production facility, and a large farm.
The image clearly shows the circular shape of the mound, and what may be a moat around it. Photo by University of Stavanger
“This is very exciting, because then we get the opportunity to see what lies beneath the ground. The goal here is to learn more about the mound, but also the surrounding area. Investigations show that this was a large farm and a center of power,” said Geiran.
Such findings are essential for strengthening the case to include Myklebust on Norway’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. “It is very important to have physical traces in an application for World Heritage. We now have that, and it will strengthen the assessment we will make to the Ministry of Climate and Environment regarding inclusion on Norway’s tentative list,” she added.
A Message From the Past
The excavation brought an unexpected discovery: a message in a bottle left by Lorange when he closed the mound 150 years ago. “It was very special and incredibly big to find that message in a bottle. I have made many amazing discoveries in my career, but this is probably the most beautiful one,” said Ramstad.
The bottle, which contained water, will be opened carefully by conservators at the University of Bergen.
Legacy of the Myklebust Ship
A replica of the Myklebust ship, measuring 30 meters long and 6 meters wide, has been built at Sagastad in Nordfjordeid. While the ship’s original dimensions remain speculative, over 1,000 nails have been uncovered, with only a quarter of the mound excavated.
This is at least a replica of the ship that is on display at Sagastad in Nordfjordeid. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
“There are a total of seven Norwegian ship burial mounds being surveyed, and Myklebust is the only one with a cremation grave,” said Ramstad. Other burial mounds include Gjellestad in Østfold, Storhaug on Karmøy, Herlaugshaugen on Leka, and the iconic sites of Oseberg, Gokstad, and Borrehaugene in Vestfold.
Geiran emphasized the significance of Myklebust for both national and global heritage. “Here in Nordfjordeid it is about local identity, but also about national history. Perhaps it can eventually also become part of the entire world’s heritage,” she said.
From left: Archaeologist Morten Ramstad, National Heritage Officer Hanna Geiran, UiB rector Margareth Hagen and archaeologist Thomas Bruen Olsen. Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
The Norwegian government will ultimately decide whether Myklebust will join Norway’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.
Top Image: Photo by Jan Magnus Weiberg-Aurdal, National Agency for Cultural Heritage
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