Archaeologists in Trøndelag, Norway, have uncovered a Viking-age burial of a woman, notable for the unusual inclusion of two scallop shells placed at her mouth, a practice previously unknown in pre-Christian Viking graves.

The woman was buried with typical Viking-era jewelry and clothing, suggesting she was a free, possibly married, woman of some status.

The grave also contained carefully arranged bird bones, hinting at symbolic or ritual significance.

While scallop shells have symbolic meanings in other cultures and later Christian contexts, their purpose in 9th-century Norway remains a mystery, Science Alert has reported.

Researchers plan to study the remains, artifacts, and DNA to learn more about the woman and any potential connections to an earlier burial discovered nearby.