Wonders of Ancient Salme Boat Burial Continue to Fascinate Researchers
Over the past five years, the remains of the two ancient sea vessels discovered in the Saaremaa town of Salme have continued to keep researchers busy, with the biggest mystery still unsolved: who were the 41 warriors buried there?
"It's a ship burial of a completely different character from anything that we have seen earlier, so it's not only unique in relation to Norway, it's unique in relation to all of Northern Europe," Oslo University professor Jan Bill told ETV yesterday at a Kuressaare conference dedicated to the dig.
Archaeologists have recovered 40 swords, as well as spearheads, arrowheads, daggers and even 250 board game pieces at the site. But it's still not clear where the warriors who died some 1,300 years ago were from.
"Those who were buried there apparently were not from Saaremaa," Estonian archaeologist Jüri Peets told ETV.
Local developers plan to take advantage of the finds and establish an attractive tourism venue dedicated to the vessels.