Archeologists uncovered a Viking woman buried in a boat — then realized she wasn’t alone
A Viking-era burial site discovered just beneath a roadside on Senja Island has revealed the remains of a woman interred in a ceremonial boat with a companion — her dog. Archaeologists from the Arctic University Museum of Norway confirmed that the grave dates back to 900-950 CE and likely belonged to a high-status individual. "Only the elite would receive a burial like this. She wasn’t at the very top of the social ladder, but she was clearly an important figure," said archeologist Anja Roth Niemi. The boat, now reduced to a dark outline in the soil, once held bronze brooches, domestic tools, and the skeletal remains of a small dog placed at her feet.
According to Science Norway, the discovery began in 2023, when metal detectorists found a pair of oval brooches and exposed rib bones near a rural road. Once the find was reported, archaeologists obtained approval to excavate the area. The boat measured roughly 18 feet long and had been sewn together using organic material instead of rivets. Though the wood had fully decomposed, the site remained largely undisturbed. What stood out most was the inclusion of a dog skeleton positioned beside her. "It appears to have been placed with real care," Niemi said. While animal burials are known in Viking history, she explained that they were not common.
"There are stories of prominent people doing everything in their power when their dog became ill. So even back then, people had deep bonds with their animals," Niemi added. This held true for other Vikings as well. In a study by Tessi Löffelmann et al., researchers examined a burial site in Derbyshire, England, and found the cremated remains of a dog, horse, and possibly a pig buried with three humans. Researchers believe they were sacrificed to remain with their owners after death. "They were important to what the person was. They went through life together, and now they’re going through death," study author Tessi Löffelmann told ScienceNews.
As for the Senja Island remains, future bone analysis is expected to confirm biological sex, age, diet, and health status. "The skeletal material can provide a wealth of information about the individual, but also about the society she lived in. We’ll learn about the kind of work she did, whether she went through periods of poor nutrition, and whether she lived in different places during childhood and adulthood," Niemi said. Håkon Reiersen, an archaeologist from the University of Stavanger, emphasized how unusual it is to find a boat grave so well preserved. He also highlighted the dog’s presence as particularly significant.
"Dogs are the animals most frequently found in these types of graves. They’re often seen as companions in life and in the journey to the afterlife," he told Science Norway. Niemi said the dog’s breed has not yet been identified, though its skeletal placement was intact enough to study further. "At first glance, the skeleton appears to be very well preserved, but the smaller parts are extremely fragile," she said. Though DNA testing could eventually reveal hair or eye color, that analysis is not yet planned. For now, Niemi and her team are focused on documenting what this single grave can teach them. "It’s always incredibly exciting, and a completely different experience from excavating something like the remains of a house. We get very close to those who lived long ago. It's been well over 1,000 years since this person was alive," Niemi said.