Ancient burial site discovered in Denmark likely belonged to elite Viking family
Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient pagan burial site in eastern Denmark believed to be connected to an elite Viking Age family that lived in the region more than 1,000 years ago.
Thirty viking graves and burial gifts dating from the second half of the 900s were unearthed in Lisbjerg, according to a June 17 news release from the Moesgaard Museum.
Mads Ravn, head of local heritage at Moesgaard, said the cemetery is likely associated with the estate of a noble family discovered in 1989 just over half a mile away.
Based on the grave items discovered at the site, the people buried there could be members of the noble household and possibly even the main family, according to experts.
Among the notable finds were coins, ceramic artifacts, beads, and an ornate box filled with gold thread, scissors, and pearls, according to the release.
Experts said a casket filled with decorative objects discovered at the site likely belonged to a prominent woman, and noted very few like it have ever been found.
The site is just over four miles from Aarhus, which experts describe as one of the oldest and most important Viking towns in Denmark, serving as an international trading hub and home to royalty.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Moesgaard Museum.
This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Ancient burial site discovered in Denmark likely belonged to elite Viking family."
