“This is very rare. The sword was the greatest status symbol in the Viking Age, and it was a privilege to be allowed to carry a sword. It is not often that we, as archaeologists, get to experience something like this,” says Lars Søgaard Sørensen in the county council’s section for cultural heritage.

To the Vikings, a sword was much more than just a weapon. Sword production was complex and labor-intensive, making them scarce and costly. Consequently, they were not widely accessible or prevalent. They were primarily utilized by individuals of high status and rank, such as kings and elite Vikings.

It is probably the first time such a sword has been found in Rogaland. With the help of X-ray photography, conservator Hege Hollund has discovered the contours of inscriptions with a cross pattern and perhaps letters on the blade.

Full article can be found here: https://www.ancientpages.com/2024/05/31/rare-ulfberht-viking-sword-discovered-in-suldal-norway/