The Haukeli sword is 77 centimeters (30.32 in) long, made of iron and was found on the old road that connected Eastern and Western Norway. (Photo: Hordaland County Municipality)
The sword found at Haukeli, located midway between Western and Eastern Norway is dating back to year 750 to 800 AD, i.e. from the beginning of the Viking Age. Very few swords from this period are found.
In the period from year 800 AD until the end of the Viking Age in 1066 AD, there are found more than 3000 swords, and the vast majority is double-edged.
The rare Haukeli single-edged sword is in surprisingly good condition, only missing the handle.
– It is in such good condition that it could have been used today, says archaeologist Jostein Aksdal to NRK.
The finding was made by hiker Gøran Olsen who was fishing in the area. When he sat down to rest, he spotted the weapon that was lying under some rocks.
Maybe it was exactly here the Vikings crossed the mountain more than 1200 years ago. (Photo: Visitnorway.com)
– In the spring, when the snow has melted, we will check the place where it was found. If we find more objects or a tomb, perhaps we can uncover the story, says Aksdal.
Common in Western Norway
A typical Viking Age sword had a blade that measured 70 to 90 centimeters (27.5 – 35.4 in). Single edges were common at the start of the period, but in the 800s and 900s AD, double edges became the standard.
Based on the size and shape the archaeologist can tell that the Haukeli sword is dating back to the period from 750-800 AD (Editor’s Note: and probably is a “Petersen Type B“).
– This was a common sword in Western Norway. But it was a costly weapon and the owner must have used it to show power, says Aksdal.
Now the object will undergo thorough investigations and be preserved at the University Museum of Bergen.
Text by: Thor Lanesskog, ThorNews
Source: Hordaland County Municipality
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