From 'Vulva Stones' to a weaving sword: Graves reveal high-status of women in Viking society

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according to Forskning .

An archaeological discovery began after treasure hunters with metal detectors found an ancient coin and a brooch near the town of Fitjar last year, which led to excavations at Skumsnes and confirmed that the relics date back to the Viking Age, according to Popular Science.

according to Science Norway Many of the buried individuals were often dressed in expensive jewelry, which is why so many valuable items were discovered in the graves.

One of the graves featured stones carefully arranged in the shape of a long Viking boat, known as the Boat Grave. This was the most elaborate burial for a high-ranking woman, as noted by Arkeonews. Inside the grave, archaeologists found jewelry and oval-shaped brooches that were typical of Viking women's wear, including pieces that were probably from England or Ireland. The woman was also provided with wool shears, a hetchel, a spindle whorl, and a weaving sword—all of the tools used in textile production.

"Textile production was a respected endeavor. Farms that made high-quality clothes held a high status," said Diinhoff, underlining the significance of the woman's position in her community, as stated by Popular Science. The discovery of a bronze key in her grave indicated her role as the head of the household.

Among the buried goods were 11 silver coins, including one from Hedeby—a rare variant from either the Danish Viking towns of Hedeby or Ribe. "That coin is possibly the best find from here," Diinhoff noted, according to Forskning. The coins, along with a necklace made of 46 glass beads, show the extensive trading networks of the Viking Age and the woman's ties to the continent.

Another artifact found in the Boat Grave was a stone that looked like the female reproductive parts, called a vulva stone by researchers. "It's a woman because it's just too obvious," Diinhoff said, as reported by All That's Interesting. The stone was placed near where the ship's mast would have been, possibly serving as a marker to show that the grave belonged to a woman.

Although many artifacts were found at the site, no human bones were discovered. Diinhoff explained that preserving human remains in this region is very difficult. "The West Coast has a problem with this – the soil consumes the bones," he said, according to Science Norway. The lack of remains has led researchers to wonder about the nature of these burials. Some believe the Boat Grave may actually be a cenotaph, a memorial for someone buried elsewhere.

The second woman was buried in a natural rock crevice covered with rocks, a custom that was used by Vikings during that time period. In her grave, archaeologists discovered additional jewelry, including oval brooches and a necklace, which implies that she held a high social position. Researchers think that both women may have come from outside the community and married into the Skumsnes society, as stated by the organization Forskning.

Recent discoveries at the Skumsnes site have led to plans for more excavation work. Researchers think there could be up to 20 graves in the area. "Metal detectors have detected signals at various spots," Diinhoff said, as reported by Science Norway. "The burial site is located just beneath a thick layer of peat. The signals are so strong that we're almost able to determine the exact locations of the brooches."

"It's through their textile work that women were able to accumulate wealth in the early Viking Age," said Unn Pedersen, an expert on the Viking Age who's studied jewelry, crafts, and decorative items from the time, as reported by Forskning. These findings highlight the significance of fabric production in Viking society and the financial impact that women had when they ran textile businesses.

The article was written with the aid of a news analysis tool.