Archaeologists digging in the village of Hune (Northern Jutland, Denmark) have discovered the remains of a vast Viking hall, the largest Viking Age find of this nature in more than a decade, dating back to the reign of Harald I or Harald Blåtand Gormsen, who ruled Denmark from 958–986 C.E. during the late Viking period. Measuring 131 feet long and some 32 feet wide, with 10 to 12 oak posts supporting the roof, the building has been deemed a prestigious one for its size. The design of the building bears out the era, being reminiscent of structures found at ring castles such as the Fyrkat near Hobro and Aggersborg near Aggersund: attributed to Harald I, these circular fortresses were designed to accommodate 16 long houses, narrow timber buildings that varied in size based on the importance of its residents.
Weather permitting, archaeologists will resume excavations this year, with plans to carbon-date the hall to more accurately pinpoint the structure’s origins: the results of their research are due at the end of 2023. Read more on Artnet.com
