Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Viking Age Silver Hoard Unearthed in Finland

A metal detectorist in Sysmä, Finland, discovered the country's largest hoard of Late Iron Age silver coins, dating to the 11th century. The find includes jewelry remnants and thousands of coins.

Kalle Lappinen found the trove, weighing nearly ten pounds, buried in two birch-bark containers about 40 feet apart. He initially found a pile of coins and then, shortly after, a second trove nearby.

Archaeologists from Lahti City Museums are analyzing the collection, which contains a silver bracelet, charm, bead, and numerous coins. The hoard is classified as "Viking Age" due to its 1000-1050 C.E. dating, though Finland was not Scandinavian Viking territory.

Finland was culturally linked to Scandinavia by trade, and the hoard's discovery during an unstable period at the end of the Viking Age suggests it was intentionally hidden due to external threats. The owner never returned to retrieve it.

This discovery follows recent significant Viking silver finds in Denmark and Norway. The Sysmä hoard surpasses a previous Finnish record from 1895.

Experts note that responsible metal detectorists can contribute valuable archaeological information, often searching areas overlooked by professionals.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.