Norwegian archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a centuries-old pre-Viking-era ship burial, suggesting that maritime exploration in Scandinavia may have commenced earlier than previously believed.

Trøndelag County revealed the discovery of the ship’s remnants in a recent Facebook post.

Archaeologists from the county, in collaboration with Norway’s NTNU Science Museum, conducted a survey at the Herlaugshaugen burial mound in Leka, a site that has yielded various historical artifacts in the past.

During the summer survey, the archaeologists identified numerous large nails and rivets at the mound, confirming the presence of a substantial ship at the site, as reported by the county.

Ship burials, where a deceased individual is placed in a boat covered by a mound, are a recurring find in Scandinavia, Business Insider reported.

This tradition is believed to symbolize a safe passage into the afterlife for individuals with a seafaring background.

The ship interred at Herlaugshaugen traces its origins to the Merovingian Era, predating the Viking Era, encompassing the period from the mid-5th century to around 750 AD, according to the county.

A report by the Scandinavian science and technology outlet, Gemini, stated that the ship’s construction is estimated to be around 700 AD, establishing it as the oldest known ship burial in the region.

Written by B.C. Begley