archaeologist have discover the content of an ancient Viking toolbox , entomb at a Danish halo fortress called Borgring . According to Science Nordic , the rarified smoothing iron puppet are the first direct piece of evidence that people lived in the fortress . And since Vikings often melted down abandoned pecker for scrap alloy , very few of them survived the centuries — produce these machine some of the only known artifacts of their variety .
Borgring is more than 1000 year old , andwas discovered in 2014near the town of Køge , on the Danish island of Zealand . Previously , experts had believed that only four Viking forts remained in Denmark .
Excavation loss leader Jens Ulriksentold The Local DKhe hoped the new archaeological site — the first of its form to be describe in 60 or so years — would “ provide fresh and crucial knowledge of the puzzling fortresses and the Viking Age . ” However , Borgring did n’t immediately cater expert with any raw sixth sense . In fact , initial dig of the fortressonly yieldeda undivided glass bead .
Experts did n’t know when or why the fort was build , or whether anyone lived there — but the newly discovered tools might help answer the latter question . The artifact are also historically significant , as Viking Age tools are elusive . The roving warriors prize iron , and any cast out metallic element objects would have been re - purposed into new equipment .
Archaeologist Nanna Holm and her workfellow dug up the tools , sink under Borgring ’s east gatehouse , after recreational archeologist detected them with metal detectors . The gatehouse may once have process as either a shop or as housing space . Experts hypothesize that the tool cabinet ’s owner may have abandon his equipment ( and his abode ) after the aging social structure collapsed .
In all , 14 tools were found . Their positioning indicate that they were likely salt away in a box that rotted aside . Among them , archaeologists discovered spoon drills used to drill holes in wood , and a drawplate used to make telegram bracelets . Holm believes the putz may have belonged to a carpenter .
A CT scan provided archaeologists with a more elaborate prototype of the tools , but some of them were too poorly preserved , or hold too trivial Fe , to be fully captured onscreen . Holm hopes to x - radiate them , and finally , the artifacts will be preserved and put on display . Until then , you could learn Science Nordic journalist Charlotte Price Persson facilitate Holm dig the puppet in the video below .
[ h / tArchaeology ]
