Norway: Rare 6th-century gold sword ornament discovered

A hiker in Sandnes, Norway, has discovered a rare 6th-century gold sword sheath ornament. The 33-gram solid gold artifact was revealed after a recent storm uprooted a tree in the Austrått area near the Riaren hill.

Archaeologists note that this find is exceptionally rare, with only 17 known examples of this specific type of ornament in Northern Europe. The object dates back to the Migration Period and is believed to be a ritual offering. The discovery provides significant insight into the existence of a major center of power in the Hove region during that era.