Despite each grave’s wealth of jewelry and personal belongings, none contain any bones from the Viking women themselves. One possible reason has to do with the environmental conditions of Skumsnes.

Some Viking women wielded great influence in the North—as powerful queens, regents, seeresses, sorceresses, landowners, leaders of sacred cults, alliance-builders, traders, and travelers.

Archaeologists uncovered a wealth of Viking Age artifacts at Skumsnes farm in Fitjar, on Norway's west coast, shedding new light on the roles of women in Viking society. The excavations revealed ...

Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors ...

The skeleton of an ancient woman found in the Viking-era boat grave. Photo from the Arctic University Museum of Norway The larger skeleton belonged to a deceased woman, the museum said.

Consequently, we suggest that pregnant women who died weren’t routinely buried with their unborn child and may not have been commemorated as one, symbiotic unity by Viking societies.

Viking Age women may have wielded weapons when pregnant, sagas and ancient artifacts hint. Marianne Hem Eriksen. Tue, May 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM UTC. 5 min read.