18 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

A Royal Legacy? The Discovery of a Monumental Longhouse from the 3rd Century in Norway

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery at Øvre Eiker near Oslo, Norway unearthing a longhouse that surpasses any known structures from Denmark or Sweden during the same period, with an astonishing width of 16 meters and a central nave spanning 9 meters between its roof-supporting columns.

The excavations, conducted in the summer of 2023, revealed this remarkable building at Sem, which initially led researchers to believe it dated back to the 1400s due to its unusual proportions. Jes Martens, project leader and associate professor at the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History, expressed his surprise at the find.

However, carbon dating revealed that the longhouse was actually constructed in the 200s, over a millennium earlier than initially thought. Despite initial doubts about the dating results, further testing confirmed the structure’s age.

“It was hard to believe. The longhouses previously found from that period were 5-7 meters wide. Such houses would have fit inside this enormous house at Sem, that’s how large it is,” Martens stated. This discovery not only challenges previous assumptions about the architectural capabilities of the time but also highlights the significance of the site in understanding early Scandinavian history.

Archaeologists believe that the recently discovered longhouse at Øvre Eiker may have served as an early royal hall, reflecting significant power and wealth in the region. Jes Martens, project leader and associate professor at the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History, emphasized the building’s exceptional nature, stating, “A building so exceptional must have represented something very special. It’s a visible sign of power and great wealth.”

The longhouse, dating back to the 200s, is strategically located in a landscape rich in resources from both land and water. During this period, the climate was relatively mild, and water levels were much higher, allowing large ships to sail directly to Sem.

Martens speculated that if a king ruled from this site during the Iron Age—700 years before Harald Fairhair, who is traditionally regarded as Norway’s first king—historical narratives may need to be reconsidered. He noted, “There are some old Scandinavian texts that mention kings dating back to the time of Christ. These stories have been dismissed as myths, but maybe there’s some truth to them.” This discovery could potentially reshape our understanding of early Scandinavian history and the political landscape of the time.

Archaeologists have only investigated about half of the site where the building stood. A partition wall runs across the house, dividing the excavated portion into two rooms: an eastern room, likely open at the gable, and a western room that may have been divided into stalls for housing animals. Image Credit: Charlotte N. Finnebråten / Museum of Cultural History / Norwegian News Agency
Archaeologists have only investigated about half of the site where the building stood. A partition wall runs across the house, dividing the excavated portion into two rooms: an eastern room, likely open at the gable, and a western room that may have been divided into stalls for housing animals. Image Credit: Charlotte N. Finnebråten / Museum of Cultural History / Norwegian News Agency

Recent archaeological findings at Sem have bolstered the hypothesis of a Nordic king’s presence in the region during Roman times, suggesting that a royal seat may have sought to unify southern Scandinavia from this strategic power center. Jes Martens, project leader and associate professor at the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History, emphasized the significance of these discoveries.

Martens pointed to the thousands of weapons and war equipment unearthed in Jutland and Funen, Denmark, which date back to this period and are believed to have originated from Norway and Sweden. “These weapons must have been transported there by an army trying to conquer western Denmark. This army must have been organized from a specific place, and the one who organized them must have had great power and access to vast resources,” he explained.

Additionally, a remarkable find in a bog near the longhouse—the Solberg vase—adds further weight to the theory. This exceptionally elaborate Roman cameo glass vase is the only one of its kind discovered outside the Roman Empire, suggesting it was owned by powerful individuals and possibly gifted to a king in the north.

“For a long time, people wondered what the Solberg Vase was doing in Norway. Now we might be closer to an answer,” Martens stated. “It’s always exciting to find sensational discoveries that confirm history, but it’s even more exciting when they give us a new perspective on history.” These findings not only enhance our understanding of the region’s past but also challenge existing narratives about the political dynamics of early Scandinavia.

The 2023 excavation was made possible through funding from the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and was the result of a collaborative effort involving the Museum of Cultural History, the county municipality, and dedicated members of local metal detector clubs.

Jes Martens, addressing the importance of further research, stated, “We have only examined half of the house and have many questions. The purpose of the various rooms and side aisles remains unclear. We believe that answers lie in the other part of the building, which could provide valuable insights into the activities that took place here.”

Archaeologists are now seeking additional funding to continue their work at the site, as only 21 meters of the building’s length have been uncovered thus far. Longhouses from this era generally measured two to three times their width, indicating that the structure likely continues beyond the current excavation area. Regrettably, the remaining portion of the building is situated beneath a roadway and a field on the opposite side, thereby underscoring the pressing necessity for financial resources to facilitate further investigation of this significant archaeological site.

Science Norway

Cover Image Credit: This is how the experts envision the stately building at Sem might have appeared. Image Credit: Arkikon / Museum of Cultural History / Norwegian News Agency

Related Articles

The Oldest Known Carvel-Built Shipwreck in the Nordic Region Found

6 March 2025

6 March 2025

Maritime archaeologists from the Museum of Wrecks (Vrak) in Stockholm have made a groundbreaking discovery off the coast of Sweden:...

The New Study, Reveals Invisible Stews

25 November 2022

25 November 2022

New Results of Organic Residue Analyzes of Beveled Rim Bowls in Mesopotamia Reveal Invisible Stews. The world’s first urban state...

Ancient Roman coin thought to be fake -certainly authentic and proves the existence of ‘forgotten’ leader Sponsian, study claims

26 November 2022

26 November 2022

History is littered with artifacts that were later discovered to be forgeries, but the opposite can also occur. A new...

A rare 2,500-year-old shipwreck found off the Greek island of Kythera

5 November 2021

5 November 2021

A rare shipwreck from the ancient era was discovered during the maritime survey for the Crete-Peloponnese subsea link. The Independent...

As Thin as Modern Tools: World’s Oldest Steel Acupuncture Needles Discovered in China

6 July 2025

6 July 2025

In a discovery that reshapes the history of traditional Chinese medicine, archaeologists have unearthed what experts now confirm to be...

Iconic 2,500-Year-Old Coțofenești Helmet and Dacian Treasures Stolen from Dutch Museum

26 January 2025

26 January 2025

A heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, has resulted in the theft of several invaluable artifacts from the...

Archaeologists Found Evidence of a Lost Temple in Chorazin Linked to Jesus’ Healing Miracles

12 August 2024

12 August 2024

Recent archaeological excavations in Israel may have unearthed the remains of a long-lost temple, believed to be the very site...

In Germany, a well-preserved octagonal tower unearthed, which may have been inspired by towers on the city walls of Constantinople

5 September 2023

5 September 2023

During excavations at Neuenburg Castle near the town of Freyburg (Burgenlandkreis) in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the extraordinarily well-preserved,...

Archaeologists explore Eastern Zhou Dynasty mausoleum in China’s Henan

30 January 2022

30 January 2022

An archaeological survey of a royal mausoleum of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 B.C.-256 B.C.) has been launched in central...

Maya city Tikal put today’s urban gardens to shame

26 June 2021

26 June 2021

The Maya civilization was known for its achievements in art, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and calendar systems. Tikal, the ancient Maya...

A 2900-year-old collection of fossilized shark teeth found in the City of David, one of Jerusalem’s oldest Parts

5 July 2021

5 July 2021

Scientists discovered an inexplicable collection of fossilized shark teeth at a 2900-year-old archaeological site in Jerusalem’s City of David, one...

Malaysian rock art found to depict Ruling class and Indigenous tribes conflict

23 August 2023

23 August 2023

Researchers discovered that two anthropomorphic figures of indigenous warriors were created amid geopolitical tensions with the ruling class and other...

3600-year-old lead weights were unearthed in the Kumluca Bronze Age Shipwreck, one of the oldest shipwrecks in the world

27 November 2022

27 November 2022

Underwater archaeological work continues in the Bronze Age shipwreck off Antalya Kumluca, one of the oldest shipwrecks in the world....

2700-year-old Assyrian carvings found near Mashki Gate destroyed by Isis

20 October 2022

20 October 2022

The U.S. and Iraqi archaeologists have unearthed ancient rock carvings believed to be more than 2,700 years old in Iraq’s...

In Switzerland, a Roman amphitheater was discovered during the construction of boathouse

21 January 2022

21 January 2022

Archaeologists from Aargau Cantonal Archaeology have announced the discovery of a Roman amphitheater in Kaiseraugst, located in the canton of...