One morning, as farmer Frik Harald Bjerkli was ploughing his field at the Borg rectory, he discovered an area of
blackened earth and a quantity of charcoal remains. Several Viking Age discoveries had been made in this area
previously.
Bjerkli therefore got in touch immediately with Kåre Ringstad, an amateur archaeologist. Had he not done this, we
would have been unlikely ever to know about the secrets that lay hidden beneath the earth.
From the earth mould, Ringstad was able to pick out a number of items: rusted iron implements, whetstones, fragments of
soapstone pots and a ceramic pot brought from France over 1,000 years ago. Such items had never been found so far north.
It had certainly been known that Lofoten had been a seat of power from early ages. And certainly Vestvågøy possessed a rich
selection of antiquties from before. Burial grounds, tofts and boathouse foundations had previously been discovered here which
testified to a concentration of dwellings dating far back in time.
But nobody could have imagined that this discovery should be so immense.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS ARRIVE
Tromsø Museum undertook the excavations and it soon became apparent that one was now contemplating a site of unusually
extensive proportions, and with a vast quantity of artifacts.
Most sensational were the ceramic shards, fragments of glass beakers from France, and armlets of sheet gold inscribed with
human figures.
Because of the nature of this discovery, it rapidly turned into a joint Nordic project and archaeologists from Norway, Sweden,
Denmark and Finland announced that they had an archaeological sensation in prospect.
LARGEST CHIEFTAIN’S HOUSE IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES
Gradually as the excavations proceeded, it became clear that the main building in the chief’s seat of power, was a full 83 metres
long. In other words, the largest Viking building which has ever been found.
The main building dates back to about 600 AD and stood for 300 years with several alterations being made along the way. At
its largest, the building measured 83 metres in length, 9 metres across and 6 metres high.
The building had four main rooms. Furthest to the north east was the cattle barn which was 42 metres long. Then a storage
room. In the centre stood the banqueting or great hall which was also used as a place of worship. This is where the chieftain
and his closest family lived. The great hall was also used for pagan sacrifices. In terms of daily routine, many kinds of crafts
were practised in the hall.
So far, the excavations have been concentrating on the chief’s house. But several buildings have been discovered on the high
ground and lower down by the fjord, a number of boathouses and groups of farm buildings.
SMALL ARTICLES HAVE MUCH TO TELL
The Viking community on the Lofoten Islands has left many traces behind. Artifacts have been dug from the land which tell us
much about the way they lived - and what they lived on. There are everyday household finds: iron vessels, soapstone pots,
baking stones and knives.
There are also finds relating to the handicrafts practised on the farm, spinning wheels and weaving looms used to make clothing.
And again knives, pumice stone and tools for woodwork and bone carving.
Jewellery, pearls, buckles, drinking glasses and metal flatware bear witness to a high social status. Tackle indicates the
importance of fishing. Small gold armlets reveal the religious cults of the Vikings.
And we can expect more discoveries to come.