In October of 2011, archeologists in different parts of the world have announced the discovery of ancient burial sites. This article highlights the recent finds of a Lycian tomb complex and a Viking burial site.
Lycian Tomb Complex Found
A series of tombs from the Lycian era have been uncovered in the Kumluca district of what is now known as Antalya (the former site of the ancient city of Rhodiapolis). Archeologists are pleased to announce that the find will shed light on the culture from 300 BC. The Lycian cemetery is comprised of a system of tombs that are surrounded by a larger necropolis. While most of the tombs have been destroyed, what has been found so far will provide an example of the architecture that thrived during ancient times in Lycian Anatolia.
Archeologists believe that when bodies were buried in the tomb, they were placed on top of other graves in the tomb. As a result, the height and width of the tombs would expand over the passing generations. The structures would reach two to three stories tall , made out of brick and arched roofs. The characteristics are believed to originate from the cultural heritage of the region. Researchers hope that sections of the site will become open to visitors in the coming year.
Archeologists Discover Viking Burial Site
In Scotland, news has traveled that archeologists have uncovered a Viking burial site on the remote Scottish peninsula called Ardnamurchan. The remains of a Viking chief (along with his boat, ax, sword and spear) will certainly shed light on the Vikings that lived in the past. The find is considered one of the most important in Norse history that has ever been found in Britain.
The grave measures 16 feet long and is the first intact site of its kind to have been found on mainland Britain. The discovery is thought to be older than 1,000 years old. The majority of the wooden boat and the Viking boats have rotted away, but there are still scraps of wood and many metal rivets that held the boat together. Archeologists also found a shield boss on the site, which is a circular piece of metal attached to the middle of a shield. A bronze ring-pin was also buried with the Viking. Other finds include a knife, a whetstone used to sharpen tools, as well as Viking pottery.
A team of archeologists belonging to Manchester and Leicester university groups were the lucky finders of the boat and the surrounding contents. Working alongside the cultural heritage organization Archaeology Scotland and consultants CFA Archaeology, the archeologists found much more than they ever expected. It’s quite rare to happen upon a Viking boat burial. The fact that there are artifacts and preserved objects to study only intensify the excitement of the find.
The main goal of the archeology team was to explore the Ardnamurchan peninsula in an effort to learn more about social change that took place in the region. Vikings from Scandinavia took routine trips to raid Scotland during the 8th and 9th centuries. As a result, many Viking settlements were established in the area.