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Birka grave Bj 581
Birka grave Bj 581 held a female Viking warrior who was buried with two horses, an arsenal of weapons, and other elite grave goods during the 10th century in Birka, Sweden. Although the remains had been thought to be of a male warrior since the grave's excavation in 1878, both a 2014 osteological analysis and a 2017 DNA study proved that the remains were of a female. The 2017 study concludes the person in Bj 581 was a high-ranking female professional warrior. The study attracted worldwide attention, as well as criticism from some academics who disputed the interpretation of grave goods.
Archaeologist and ethnographer Hjalmar Stolpe (1841–1905) excavated a burial chamber grave in the 1870s as part of his archaeological research at the Viking Age site Birka on the island of Björkö in Mälaren, a lake in Sweden. In 1889 he documented the grave as Bj 581.
The grave was marked by a large stone boulder and was found on an elevated terrace where it was in direct contact with the garrison. The burial chamber was made out of wood, 3.45m long and 1.75m wide.
The grave contained a human skeleton, probably collapsed from a sitting position. The skeleton was later proved to be the remains of someone who was biologically female and over the age of 30.
Many weapons were found in the grave. The organic material had decayed, leaving only the metal parts intact. A Petersen type E sword was found in its sheath near the body, as well as the head of Petersen type M axe, and a seax. Near the sword was a small knife made of iron and a sharpening stone. Two spearheads, one from a spear that was placed in the grave, and one that was thrown in during ceremony. Twenty-five arrowheads of the Erik Wegraeus type D1 suggest a bow and full quiver of arrows. Finally, there were two shield bosses, one against the front wall of the grave, and the other on the opposite wall.
Scant garment remnants of silk, with silver brocade, were found about the skeleton along with a simple iron ring pin, suggesting the garments of a kaftan, and a cloak which would have been secured with the pin. Also found was a tasseled hat of samite trimmed with intricate silver ornaments. The garment remnants generally suggest an eastern material cultural similar as that of the Caucasus region.
A quarter silver dirham (a type of coin) of Nasr ibn Ahmad from the reign of al-Muktadir dates the grave to sometime shortly following 913–933 AD, likely 940-950 AD. Additional items found were a spearhead in miniature (thought to be an amulet), a set of three iron weights of the kind used for trade, a bronze vessel, three tin rods, the remains of a belt set, and forty pieces of mirror glass. The mirror glass pieces may have been a mirror that was broken, or used in their fragmented state as sequins on the kaftan.
A gaming set was also found in the grave, associated with military status and recognition of strategic skill. The set comprised 28 gaming pieces (including a king piece), three dice, and the iron frame of a gaming board. The dice, weights, and gaming pieces were wrapped in a bag.
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Birka grave Bj 581
Birka grave Bj 581 held a female Viking warrior who was buried with two horses, an arsenal of weapons, and other elite grave goods during the 10th century in Birka, Sweden. Although the remains had been thought to be of a male warrior since the grave's excavation in 1878, both a 2014 osteological analysis and a 2017 DNA study proved that the remains were of a female. The 2017 study concludes the person in Bj 581 was a high-ranking female professional warrior. The study attracted worldwide attention, as well as criticism from some academics who disputed the interpretation of grave goods.
Archaeologist and ethnographer Hjalmar Stolpe (1841–1905) excavated a burial chamber grave in the 1870s as part of his archaeological research at the Viking Age site Birka on the island of Björkö in Mälaren, a lake in Sweden. In 1889 he documented the grave as Bj 581.
The grave was marked by a large stone boulder and was found on an elevated terrace where it was in direct contact with the garrison. The burial chamber was made out of wood, 3.45m long and 1.75m wide.
The grave contained a human skeleton, probably collapsed from a sitting position. The skeleton was later proved to be the remains of someone who was biologically female and over the age of 30.
Many weapons were found in the grave. The organic material had decayed, leaving only the metal parts intact. A Petersen type E sword was found in its sheath near the body, as well as the head of Petersen type M axe, and a seax. Near the sword was a small knife made of iron and a sharpening stone. Two spearheads, one from a spear that was placed in the grave, and one that was thrown in during ceremony. Twenty-five arrowheads of the Erik Wegraeus type D1 suggest a bow and full quiver of arrows. Finally, there were two shield bosses, one against the front wall of the grave, and the other on the opposite wall.
Scant garment remnants of silk, with silver brocade, were found about the skeleton along with a simple iron ring pin, suggesting the garments of a kaftan, and a cloak which would have been secured with the pin. Also found was a tasseled hat of samite trimmed with intricate silver ornaments. The garment remnants generally suggest an eastern material cultural similar as that of the Caucasus region.
A quarter silver dirham (a type of coin) of Nasr ibn Ahmad from the reign of al-Muktadir dates the grave to sometime shortly following 913–933 AD, likely 940-950 AD. Additional items found were a spearhead in miniature (thought to be an amulet), a set of three iron weights of the kind used for trade, a bronze vessel, three tin rods, the remains of a belt set, and forty pieces of mirror glass. The mirror glass pieces may have been a mirror that was broken, or used in their fragmented state as sequins on the kaftan.
A gaming set was also found in the grave, associated with military status and recognition of strategic skill. The set comprised 28 gaming pieces (including a king piece), three dice, and the iron frame of a gaming board. The dice, weights, and gaming pieces were wrapped in a bag.