Viking textile production site discovered in Denmark

A sprawling textile production site from the Viking Age, uncovered in Denmark, offers a new glimpse into the sophisticated society of the era. Dating back more than 1,000 years, the 100,000-square-meter discovery near Aarhus on the Jutland peninsula includes specialized areas for processing flax and more than 80 pit houses that served as workshops and dwellings.

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we have a clear focus on textile production, which makes this settlement different from other kinds of settlements of this period.

Archaeologists leading the 10-month excavation highlighted the site's clear focus on textile manufacturing, distinguishing it from other settlements of the period. Evidence such as spindle whorls and weight looms found within the pit houses points directly to textile work. The presence of silver coins, glass beads, and pottery further enriches the understanding of the site's activities.

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We have spindle whorls, we have weight looms; that tells us about what has been going on in the pit houses.

Experts believe the site, active between A.D. 600 and 950, was overseen by a powerful individual who controlled resources and production. This is suggested by the distinct areas found for production, crafts, and a single residential home. The scale of the production site indicates it was not solely for local consumption but was integrated into a larger, international trade network, likely supplying goods to the contemporary Viking hub of Aros (modern-day Aarhus).

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We could see in the trenches that it just keeps on going, with these houses and pit houses and textile production features.

This significant find adds another piece to the puzzle of Viking economic, cultural, and political structures. It reinforces the image of Vikings not just as raiders, but as skilled artisans and integral participants in extensive trade routes that spanned across Europe and beyond.

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another piece in the puzzle