PAUL SIEVEKING digs up the latest discoveries, including a Viking hall and an intact Roman egg
VIKING DISCOVERIES
Danish archæologists in Hune, North Jutland, have uncovered a massive Vikingera hall, about 130ft (40m) long and 32ft (10m) wide. The structure had 10 to 12 rectangular oak posts supporting the roof. These types of large halls were prestigious buildings used as a gathering place for political meetings and large guilds. The design is similar to other structures found at castles belonging to Harald Bluetooth, indicating the hall was built during the late Viking age, (AD 850-1000). Nothing like this hall has ever been found before in North Jutland, the northernmost region of Denmark. Bluetooth, who ruled from around 958 to 985, was the first king of unified Denmark and is also credited with conquering Norway. Hune is about 195 miles (314km) northwest of Copenhagen. kansascity.com, 27 Dec 2023.
An analysis of two groups of runestones, dedicated to the first known queen of Denmark, hints atalongside men. Now, it seems possible that once, they may have been led by a woman, too. .
